Top Australian Car Brands Includes Holden, P.V., Toyota Australia, HSV, Elfin, Iveco Australia Mack Trucks Australia, Nota Sports and Racing, R.B., Australian Motor Industries, Rootes Australia, Australian Six, Birrana, Giocattolo.
Australia is known for its unique scenic beauty and mesmerizing landscapes. There is no wonder that Australia will also amaze us with the popular and unique Australian Car Brands. Because many cars are imported from other countries, Australian cars don’t really have a distinct market at the moment.
Australian Automotive Market have a long history, as we can see by looking back in time. Several decades ago, it was one of the few carmakers capable of designing, engineering, and producing cars.
We have listed a total of 14 famous Car brands in Australia. Some of them are very well-known and popular automakers.
Besides all these brands, there are a few more brands that are currently inactive. But they have also produced some of the greatest cars in history.
Our guide to Australian car brands will lead you to gain more knowledge about all these car brands from Australia.
List of Popular Australian Car Brands that are active Now:
- Holden
- P.V.
- Toyota Australia
- HSV
- Elfin
- Iveco Australia
- Mack Trucks Australia
- Nota Sports and Racing
- R.B.
- Australian Motor Industries
- Rootes Australia
- Australian Six
- Birrana
- Giocattolo
Popular car brands in Australia:
This list contains the most popular Australia based car brands.
Let’s explore the car brands of Australia more precisely.
At first, we have listed out the most popular car brands in Australia. These car brands have a huge market share. They have enriched the history of the Australian automotive market.
HOLDEN
Holden is a famous Australian car brand that was founded in 1908. Holden has been Australian-owned since 1918. For many years it was one of the world’s biggest makers, yet, in recent times, it has been losing this position.
Holden has always designed and built its cars in Australia to serve the needs of the Australian market. Production in late 2009 stopped with no replacement announced for mid-2010. As of October 2012, Holden is still working on future projects, which include vehicle design and development work for export opportunities.
Holden has before offered badge-engineered models as part of sharing agreements with Chevrolet, Isuzu, Nissan, Opel, Suzuki, Toyota, and Vauxhall Motors. In the past, the vehicle lineup included models from G.M. Korea, G.M. Thailand, G.M. North America, and self-developed versions. Holden also distributed the European Opel brand in Australia till it’s shut down in mid-2013.
Since the 1950s, Holden’s involvement in exports has varied. But the company’s declining sales of big cars in Australia prompted it to seek new markets to boost profits. Due to the strong Australian dollar, Holden incurred losses from 2010 onwards owing to decreased government subsidies and incentives.
Some of the best models of Holden cars include the Holden Commodore, Monaro, Ute, Statesman, Caprice, HSV sedans, and coupes.
These cars are all popular in Australia, and many of them have achieved great success in other countries as well. The Holden Commodore, for example, has been the best-selling car in New Zealand for many years now.
Also, Holden cars include a wide range of models, including tiny ones, sports cars, and even S.U.V.s. The firm has been with General Motors since 1931, when it became the Australian brand in charge of Australian automobile manufacturing. They do not only make automobiles for Australia. They also make them for the rest of the world.
The collection of Holden’s automobiles includes small and medium vehicles. The lineup consists of Barina Spark, Barina, Cruze, and Malibu. The large vehicles are Commodore and Caprice. The S.U.V. lineup includes Trax, Captiva 5, Captiva 7, and Colorado 7. Its sports utility models are Ute, Colorado, etc.
In 2014, Commodore sales increased by 25.5 percent to 2967 vehicles. This was a success for the Commodore production line, as it has not had such high numbers since November of last year. Unfortunately, General Motors Holden announced that it would stop manufacturing sedans at the end of 2017. It might be a major issue for the Australian automobile industry.
On February 17, 2020, General Motors revealed that the Holden name would be discontinued by 2023. It has been replaced by G.M. Specialty Vehicles (GMSV). It imports the Chevrolet Silverado. It will also import the Chevrolet Corvette. The move has been met with mixed reactions. Some people are lamenting the loss of a much-loved brand, while others are celebrating the end of an era of Australian manufacturing decline. Whatever your opinion, it’s undeniable that Holden’s decision will have a significant impact on Australian car enthusiasts.
Looking ahead, it will be interesting to see what new models Holden comes up with. The Holden Car brand is planning to release a number of electric and hybrid cars in the near future. The company is working hard to stay competitive in an ever-changing automotive market, and we can expect great things from it in the years to come.
F.P.V.
Ford Performance Vehicles is a brand of high-performance cars engineered. It is manufactured by the Ford Motor Company Special Vehicle Team. The company’s products have included the F equipped with a range of V8 engines from 260 up to 450 horsepower. It also includes the F.P.V. G.T., based on the current Mustang G.T.
The origins of F.P.V. can be found in a collaboration between Tickford. It is an English automobile engineering firm and Ford Australia. It began in 1991 to create high-performance variants of the Australian Falcon range. The introduction of the Ford Falcon S-XR6 and Ford Falcon S-XR8 models was announced by Tickford Vehicle Engineering. It is a collaboration that included some of Ford’s most popular vehicles. Ford launched the Ford Tickford Experience dealer network and the FTE T-Series range based on Ford’s AU Falcon and Fairlane sedans in 1999.
The vehicles are so distinctive. They may be exhibited in a museum as reminiscent of long-forgotten eras of Australian history. The 1977 A9X Torana, the X.Y. GT Falcon, or the Tru Blu Dick Johnson XD Falcon Face Replica. It resembles many of the American muscle cars that we’ve seen in Hollywood movies. It appears that the Australian automobile culture has a solid basis.
The name F.P.V. was created to replace FTE, and a revised assortment was developed based on the Ford BA Falcon. The firm saw the revival of the G.T. moniker on a Falcon-based vehicle for the first time since “30th Anniversary G.T.”. It is also offering it as a regular production model since the XB Falcon GT. The range was headlined by the FPV GT-P, which is powered by a turbocharged version of the XR6 Turbo.
Things got changed in 2016. Ford Australia will stop automobile production in October 2016 after a nine-decade run. The high manufacturing expenses, a fragmented marketplace, and low model volumes are the reason for the shutdown of the company. Ford Falcon was the most popular Australian automobile brand, with a long and illustrious history. Despite this, production activities at the firm stop.
TOYOTA AUSTRALIA
Toyota Australia is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Toyota Motor Corporation. It was based in Port Melbourne, Victoria. It distributes and sells Toyota vehicles, parts, and accessories in Australia. Toyota Australia includes the Toyota Racing team. It markets Toyota products and manages motorsport. The firm also manages advertising and business operations for Toyota in Australia. It also handles Lexus automobiles in Australia. Toyota had manufactured cars in Australia by the beginning of 1963 when it began production at its factory in Altona, Victoria.
Toyota Australia began in 1959 when Thiess Toyota. It is a 60/40 joint venture between Thiess and Toyota, imported Toyota Land Cruisers. In 1972, Toyota purchased British Leyland’s stake in A.M.I. and announced to build an engine and gearbox facility for $127 million. Toyota will stop producing automobiles and engines in Australia by the end of 2017. It was revealed in February 2014.
Toyota Australia sells a variety of automobile models that meet various demands. The passenger Vehicles are Aurion, Avensis, Camry, Corolla, Prius, Rukus, Tarago, Prius v, Prius c, Yaris, 86. The S.U.V. models include F.J. Cruiser, Kluger, Land Cruiser 200, Land Cruiser Prado, Toyota RAV4. It also had commercial models such as Coaster, Hiace, Toyota Hilux, Toyota Land Cruiser 78.
Toyota Team Australia had raced in the Australian Touring Car Championship from 1985 to 1990. The firm has included Sprinters, Corollas, and a Supra in the championship managed by A.M.I. Toyota. It was under the leadership of Team Manager Tony Niovanni. It also contested the Australian Rally Championship with driver Neal Bates. Toyota Australia announced an affordable motorsport series. I.T. was based on the country’s best-selling sports car, the Toyota 86 coupe. It is made to be raced at Supercars Championship events.
General statistics show that Toyota Australia companies achieved high totals in 2013 when it comes to the auto industry. Toyota Australia today has the greatest market share in Australia’s new-vehicle market.
Toyota Racing in Australia has won many races in recent years. They have done this by winning the Bathurst 12 Hour race. All in all, Toyota Australia is a vital part of the Toyota brand and continues to play a significant role in its success worldwide.
Other active car manufacturers from Australia
Other than Holden, F.P.V., Toyota, here are some other active but not so popular car brands from Australia. These brands have really gained popularity in their early days. Now let us have a look into this.
HSV
Holden Special Vehicles, better known as HSV. It is the official partner of the renowned Australian vehicle manufacturer Holden. The firm was established in 1987 and was based in Clayton, Victoria. For local and export sales, G.M. modified Holden models such as the basic wheelbase Commodore, long-wheelbase Caprice, and Statesman. HSV also modified other non-Holden cars. General Motors and Walkinshaw Performance are the parent companies of HSV.
Holden and Tom Walkinshaw Racing established Holden Special Vehicles (HSV) as a joint venture in 1987. It was an operation owned by Scottish racing-car driver and entrepreneur Tom Walkinshaw.
HSV sponsored the V8 Supercar team in 2005, formerly known as the Kmart Racing Team. The crew chose HSV Dealer Team as their new name. The relaunched team struggled in its first few races in 2005. But they found their stride later in the campaign and led the 2006 Championship from start to finish.
The company mainly produces performance variants of Holden models, such as the Ute, Commodore, and Caprice. All vehicles remodeled. It was then marketed under the name HSV.
A newly created G.M. subsidiary, General Motors Specialty Vehicles (GMSV). It took over the production of the Holden after discontinuation in 2023. It begins importing and distributing the Silverado in Australia in November 2020. GMSV is responsible for distributing Chevrolet models. The Silverado 1500 continues to be re-engineered by Walkinshaw Automotive Group on behalf of GMSV.
HSV has a vision for their brand as being Australia’s number one performance car retailer. HSV is committed to playing a major role in the growth of performance motoring as a lifestyle. It is their goal to continue to set new standards as a leading retailer and distributor of performance vehicles.
ELFIN
Elfin is an Australian sports car company that was founded in 1957 by Garrie Cooper. The company is based in Melbourne, Victoria. Elfin is best known for producing high-performance sports car models. The firm includes the MK1, MK2, and MK3.
The firm has been into sports cars and motor racing vehicles in Australia since 1959. Elfin Sports Cars is owned by the British racer Tom Walkinshaw. He also owns Holden Special Vehicles through his company Walkinshaw Performance. Elfin is the country’s oldest and most successful sports car manufacturer. The firm has won 29 championships and major Grand Prix titles since its founding in 1957.
The company has a long history of producing race-winning cars. Its models have been used in competitions around the world. Elfin is also well known for its customer service. It has earned the company a strong reputation among sports car enthusiasts.
Garrie Cooper created the business in South Australia as Elfin Sports Cars in October 1959. He would go on to be a champion race driver. He is also a successful designer and builder of Elfin racing and sports-racing vehicles. Victorian Murray Richards bought Elfin in 1993. He set about developing a new generation Elfin Clubman, which became known as the Type 3. After his death in December 2010, Elfin was Vested by Tom Walkinshaw’s estate. Though, after March 2012, no more Elfin automobiles have been produced.
Elfin has been the recipient of many awards over the years. It includes the “Best Sports Car of The Year” award from Wheels Magazine in 1978. The company also won the Australian Touring Car Championship in 1984.
Elfin has won 29 championships and major titles. It includes two Australian Drivers’ Championships, four Australian Sports Car Championships, three Australian Tourist Trophies, and four Australian Formula Ford Series. Elfin cars also won the Singapore Grand Prix, the Malaysian Grand Prix, and the New Zealand Grand Prix.
Elfin began producing two related V8-powered sports cars in 2006. One of them is the MS8 Streamliner and the MS8 Clubman. Elfin introduced the turbocharged four-cylinder T5 Clubman as an entry-level model in 2008.
The Elfin Heritage Centre is a museum dedicated to the Elfin Sports Cars in Melbourne. The center has approximately 12 current and historic automobiles on display.
Elfin’s new model will have a unique body style that sets it apart from the original. It will also feature a more powerful engine, making it faster and more agile than the Porsche.
The new Elfin model is sure to turn heads when it hits the streets. It’s sure to be a popular choice among drivers who are looking for something that’s both stylish and performance-oriented.
IVECO AUSTRALIA
Iveco Australia is the Australian subsidiary of Iveco. It is a global manufacturer of commercial vehicles. Iveco Australia manufactures and distributes a range of light, medium, and heavy-duty commercial vehicles in Australia. The company also offers financing and service solutions to its customers.
Iveco Australia has many manufacturing plants in Dandenong, Victoria, as well as Brisbane. The company also maintains offices in Sydney and Perth to support their customers across Australia. In 1970 the Iveco Australian subsidiary was established. In 1974 C.N.H. Industrial acquired 100% of the company as well as Seddon Atkinson Pty Ltd, which was merged into Iveco Australia. Today Iveco Australia is a subsidiary of C.N.H. Industrial and operates as part of the Iveco brand.
The company produces a wide range of commercial vehicles. They distributed those Vehicles throughout Australia. These vehicles include the Daily, Eurocargo, and Stralis ranges. The company also offers its customers many services such as finance and fleet management.
The parallel hybrid solution incorporates both a Diesel engine and an electric engine that can be used. It makes for greater operating flexibility and allows the vehicle to work under both urban and non-urban conditions.
The name Iveco is used to identify both light, medium, and heavy vehicles. The New Daily comes in a variety of sizes ranging from 2.8 to 6 tons and has all four-wheel drive. The EuroCargo is a medium vehicle with a capacity of 6.5 to 18 tonnes and either four by two-wheel or all four-wheel drive.
Some of the famous models of the Iveco Australia car brand are the Daily, Eurocargo, and Stralis.
The Daily is a light commercial vehicle. It was released in 1975. The range currently consists of the Daily Van, Daily Box, Daily Chassis cab, and Daily Flatbed/Chassis.
The EuroCargo is a medium commercial vehicle that was first released in 1979. There are 4 different types of EuroCargo. It includes the EuroCargo, EuroCargo ML, EuroCargo Maxi, and the EuroCargo Tipper.
The Stralis is a heavy-duty truck that was first released in 2001. The range currently consists of the Stralis AS440S48T/P, the Stralis AX480S48T/P, and the Stralis Hi-Way. The company also has many manufacturing plants in Dandenong, Victoria, as well as Brisbane.
The firm is the only semi-truck maker that does not build American-branded vehicles. Iveco Australia is targeting to be the leading full-line supplier of commercial vehicles in Australia as well as being a major player in supply or quality components across segments.
IVECO Australia has a team of professionals working hard every day to ensure that they provide a safe and secure environment for their customers. They also focus on delivering nothing less than exceptional customer service by offering them innovative solutions and personalized care.
MACK TRUCKS AUSTRALIA
Mack Trucks Australia is an Australian subsidiary of the American-based Mack Trucks company. They provide trucks and other commercial vehicles for mining, construction, agriculture, and other purposes.
The company was founded by William Mack in New York City in 1900. It made only heavy-duty engines but began to build complete vehicles in 1908. The American company merged with Volvo of Sweden in 1999, which then went on to buy the Renault truck and bus divisions in 2001 to form Volvo Group. As a result, Mack Trucks Australia is now a part of the Volvo Group.
Mack Trucks Australia operates two manufacturing plants in Brisbane, Queensland. These plants produce a wide range of commercial vehicles for both the Australian and export markets. Mack Trucks Australia also has a national sales and service network that covers all states and territories. Their products are used in a variety of commercial applications, including mining, earthmoving, construction, and farming.
Some models of this brand are available throughout Australia are Granite, Metro-Liner, Super-Liner, Titan, Trident, and Terrapro. Among these, the TerraPro are imported models that Pre-ordered and then delivered to Australia.
The company is the second-best for manufacturing trucks. The most popular for the Mack Titan. It is a beast when it comes to the transportation of goods and heavy materials. Mack Trucks is the latest company to enter the electric truck market, which is expected to grow rapidly in the coming years.
Some of the notable appearances that one could remember are the famous Transformer Series and other Hollywood films. The Mixmaster was seen as a Decepticon in Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen using a 2008 Mack Granite Cement Mixer as his vehicle form. The Mack M915 Line-Haul Replacement Tractor was the vehicle mode for Megatron in Transformers: Dark of the Moon.
Now let’s move on to the next famous Australian car brand Nota Sports and Racing.
NOTA SPORTS AND RACING
NOTA Sports and Racing is an Australian car brand company that produces high-end sports cars and racing cars. The company was founded by Guy Buckingham in 1952, and it has become one of the most popular car brands in Australia. The firm became well-known for being the first business in Australia to offer space-framed sports vehicles.
Their slogan is “Now, you need a NOTA,” and their logo is a checkered flag in green and blue. There have been many rumors about the company being owned by a large American car manufacturer, but it has been denied by Buckingham.
NOTA has cars in most racing series throughout Australia, with some of them being used in NASCAR customer racing. Throughout the years, they have become the most-used brand of cars in Australian motorsports.
It was just a small sports car company that only made road cars for rich people who wanted something unique. He quickly became one of the most popular car brands in Australia for his stylish road cars.
In 1958, the firm launched a series of all-enveloping aluminum streamlined sports vehicles. The name “Streamliners” was used at first, later changed to “Mazengarbs.” From 1960 to 1970, eleven were constructed. In the late 1950s, it produced Formula Junior vehicles in both fronts- and mid-engine forms.
The current models include Le Mans, Nota F1, Fang, Sportsman, Chimera.
NOTA quickly worked its way up to having its own racing series, the NOTA SportsCar Championship Series, in 1955. The races took place around Australia’s major cities, and they eventually began racing on international circuits in 1968.
Nota Sports and Racing is looking to continue its expansion in the coming years. It plans to do this by opening new dealerships in strategic locations around the country. It also plans to increase its market share by offering more products that cater to the needs of different customers. By doing so, Nota believes it will be able to tap a larger customer base and maximize its sales.
DRB
DRB is an Australian company that was founded by Dennis Bedford in 1980. It is a privately-owned company that has been specializing in importing Japanese cars for Queenslanders since 1981. Since its founding, D.R.B. has become the largest importer of Japanese cars in Queensland, Australia.
As of 2008, D.R.B. sells over 100 Japanese vehicles every month. These include the Nissan Skyline R32, R33, and R34 models, as well as the Toyota Supra MKIV. The company also specializes in cars other than those made by Nissan and Toyota; examples are the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X, Subaru Impreza WRX STI, and the Nissan GT-R.
The company puts its success down to three factors: product supply, service after the sale, and customer satisfaction. They are adamant that their product is of high quality. They also back up their products with a competitive warranty program.
The firm is most recognized for its replicas of the Iconic Ford GT40 and A.C. Cobra 427. It has manufactured and sold more than 350 cobras since its foundation. The firm’s reputation for producing some of the most powerful, sturdy, and incredibly beautiful cobra automobiles appears to be solid.
D.R.B. has two showrooms in Queensland: one in Brisbane and the other in the Gold Coast. They also have a workshop at their head office in South East Queensland that is fully equipped to carry out any repairs or modifications required on Japanese vehicles. This allows D.R.B. to provide customers with after-sales service.
One of the reasons behind D.R.B.’s success is that they are committed to providing 100% satisfaction for their customers. They guarantee that their products will be on time or earlier; if not, they will immediately deliver another product at no expense to the customer. Moreover, if a customer does not like the product that was purchased from D.R.B., they can exchange it for another model.
D.R.B. wants to be the leading car brand in the future. It plans to do this by improving its quality, expanding its distribution, and developing new models. The company has set some ambitious goals, but it believes that it can achieve them with the help of its partners and customers. D.R.B. wants to create a car that is perfect for everyone, whether they are young or old, rich or poor.
It also plans to increase its market share in countries such as Malaysia, Indonesia, Australia, and New Zealand. It is particularly interested in developing sales channels in the rural areas of these countries because it believes that there is a huge opportunity for growth in this market.
Non-active Automakers from Australia
Many automobile brands have disappeared into history and are no longer in business. Our next step will be to examine the oldest and most popular car brands that formerly existed and have since been discontinued.
AUSTRALIAN MOTOR INDUSTRIES
Australian Motor Industries (A.M.I.) was an Australian car brand and company that was founded in 1926. The company produced a range of cars. It includes commercial vehicles until it stopped operations in 1987. A.M.I. was a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Toyota Motor Corporation.
A.M.I.’s first car was released in 1930 and was called the AMI-8. This model was followed by the AMI-10 in 1932. In 1933, the company released its most popular model, the AMI-12. The AMI-12 was a six-cylinder car that achieved success in both the Australian and international markets. The AMI-12’s successor, the A.M.X. model, was a long-wheelbase luxury sedan that also proved to be a sales success.
The company expanded its operations and began producing trucks in 1952, as well as tractors from 1955 onwards. In 1962 it opened a new head office next to Melbourne Airport at Tullamarine. In 1971, A.M.I. became the first Australian company to start producing cars under license from a foreign manufacturer. When it began assembling Toyotas, this marked the beginning of a long-standing relationship between A.M.I. and Toyota Motor Corporation.
In 1987, A.M.I. ceased operations and was absorbed into its parent company, Toyota Motor Corporation. The A.M.I. brand is no longer in use, but some of its models are still popular among collectors. The company’s legacy lives on through the Toyota Camry. It was first released in Australia in 1987. It is now one of the best-selling cars in the country.
ROOTES AUSTRALIA
Rootes Australia was a car brand company that operated in Australia between 1946 and 1965. The company was founded by the Rootes Group and was later acquired by Chrysler Australia. It was a British-based manufacturer of cars and trucks, as well as buses and coaches.
Before being sold to Chrysler, the Rootes Group had various holdings in the Australian car market, with Humber, Hillman, Sunbeam, Singer, and Talbot marques imported into Australia. From 1946 to 1965, all Rootes cars were assembled at the Port Melbourne plant. The company closed down in 1965 when Chrysler pulled out of the Australian market.
Some of the most popular Rootes models in Australia were the Hillman Hunter, Sunbeam Alpine, and the Humber Sceptre.
Lacking technological savvy, their products did not have a high reputation for reliability. When Chrysler abandoned the Australian market in November 1978, they left behind several of their European models, which soldiered on with various degrees of success until finally leaving the market by 1984.
AUSTRALIAN SIX
The Australian six automobile company is a vehicle and vehicle parts manufacturer and is based in Ashfield, Australia. The company was created in the year 1919 and was known as Holden Motor Body Builders Pty Limited. The name of the company was later changed to General Motors-Holden’s Limited when it merged with the U.S. automobile manufacturer General Motors Corporation in 1931, which made it one of its subsidiaries.
It was a big attempt to compete with US-imported automobiles. The vehicles were built using a blend of local and imported parts. The vehicles included a conventional frame structure with five distinct bodies made domestically under the slogan “Made in Australia, by Australians, for Australians.”
The majority of these cars were powered by Rutenber Straight-6 engines. Those were mated to Grant Lees or Muncie gearboxes. Imported O.H.V. Ansted engines were in some models instead.
The Harkness and Hillier hire car firm in Sydney manufactured the final few vehicles. Only four Australian Sixes are thought to survive. One each at the Powerhouse Museum automobile collection in Sydney and York Motor Museum, York, Western Australia.
From 1919, the factory was located in the Sydney Harbourside suburb of Rushcutters Bay, New South Wales. From 1924, it was located in Ashfield, New South Wales. After the production of 500 cars, the company was forced to shut down. The main reason behind this is the high local construction cost.
BIRRANA
Birrana Car is a small company that specializes in manufacturing cars. It was founded by Malcolm Ramsay. He has been manufacturing car parts for over 40 years. The company manufactures new and used car parts that are of high quality.
From 1971 to 1978, Birrana created a succession of successful open-wheel racing cars. They also made Holden V8 touring car. In the 1990s, Ramsay uplifted the Birrana name in motor racing by building Reynard Motorsport Formula 3000 chassis for the Australian Drivers’ Championship.
In 1972, Alcock and Ramsay founded Birrana Racing Cars Pty Ltd. They subsequently began building racing vehicles in a former service station in Adelaide’s outskirts. The firm would go on to sell 16 automobiles.
Some of the Birrana models that we can remember are Birrana Formula Ford and the 272. The Formula Ford is the first car built by the firm. After the company turned into Birrana Racing Cars Pty Ltd, they offered many Vehicles. The F72, 273,F73, 274, 374, S74, A78. The A78 was created by Malcolm Ramsay. It was utilized 273 and 274 parts, both of which were made by Rothmans. In 1978, the A78 entered Rothmans Series events in Malaysia.
The Wills/V8 Supercar program began in April of 2002 when Formula Holden was failing. Ramsay reduced his involvement as the team became Team Dynamik. Today, Ramsay upholds the Birrana name as a mechanical engineering company that services the mining sector.
GIOCATTOLO
Giocattolo is a car brand company that was founded in 1986 by Paul Halstead and Barry Lock. The company is known for its high-quality luxury cars. The Italian term “giocattolo,” which means “toy” in English, was a short-lived Australian automobile firm.
They produced just one vehicle throughout its whole existence. The car was also called ‘Giocattolo.’ It was based on a heavily modified Alfa Romeo Sprint. It had gained a lot of popularity during the late 1980s. Before it closed in 1989, Giocattolo produced only fifteen models.
The Giocattolo was created on a heavily modified Alfa Romeo Sprint body shell with a mid-mounted Alfa V6 engine. The V6 engine had shown to be too difficult and expensive to import and install in the automobile. So management opted for a Holden V8 engine built by Holden Special Vehicles instead for the fourth prototype. These engines were also quicker, more powerful, and less expensive than the Alfa units they had planned to utilize.
In its early years, Giocattolo was a very successful company. However, in 1989, the company filed for bankruptcy and ceased operations.
Though Giocattolo is no longer in business, it remains an iconic car brand that is remembered fondly by many drivers. Its legacy continues to be felt in the luxury car market today.
Hopefully, you now have a better understanding of Australian Automotive Manufacturers. Australian car brands are more focused on manufacturing S.U.V.s and dual-cab utes. Most of the car brands import parts from other countries. But we also have some of the local manufacturing car brands who are dedicated to their work and passion for cars.
We have included the history along with some of their famous models for each car brand in Australia. They have marked their position in the history of the Australian automotive market.
Our focus is, to sum up, all the interesting points for each of the car brands from Australia. Hope you have enjoyed reading about these brands. If by mistake we have not included any of the Australian Car brands, please let us know about it.