Australia - Automotive PartsAustralia - Automotive Parts
Overview
Australia’s auto market is mature, with modest growth expected. In 2017, 1.2 million new passenger cars, SUVs and commercial vehicles were sold in the local market. An increase of 0.9% from 2016. Sales of SUVs outsold passenger cars for the first time, accounting for 39.2% of the market. Passenger cars accounted for 37.8% of the market, light commercial vehicles were 20%, and heavy commercial vehicles were 3%. New vehicles must be sold in right-hand drive format.Top Passenger Vehicle Brands in 2017 Top Vehicle Models in 2017
Toyota (18.2% share) Toyota HiLux
Mazda (9.8%) Ford Ranger
Hyundai (8.2%) Toyota Corolla
Holden (7.6%) Mazda3
Mitsubishi (6.8%) Hyundai i30
Ford (6.6%) Mazda CX-5
Volkswagen (4.9%) Hyundai Tucson
Nissan (4.8%) Holden Commodore
Kia (4.6%) Toyota Camry
Subaru (4.4%) Mitsubishi Triton
Sources: Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries; Australian Bureau of Statistics
Australia is the sixth-largest destination for US auto parts exports. The market has relatively few barriers for US companies. Ford, GM Holden and Toyota have now ceased manufacturing vehicles in Australia. All vehicles are now imported.
The Australian aftermarket for replacement parts and accessories is estimated to be worth around USD8 billion and is split fairly evenly between local producers and imports. Annual Australian exports of aftermarket parts are estimated by the Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA) to be USD1.2 billion.
US auto parts exports to Australia have grown from approximately USD1.1 billion in 2010 to almost USD1.6 billion in 2016. China is the largest top source of imports of auto parts followed by the U.S, Japan, Thailand, Germany and Korea.
| 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 (Estimated) | |
| Total Local Production | 4.98 | 4.97 | 5.12 | 5.14 |
| Total Exports | 1.09 | 1.09 | 1.18 | 1.20 |
| Total Imports | 3.35 | 4.01 | 4.03 | 4.33 |
| Imports from the US | 1.29 | 1.35 | 1.49 | 1.60 |
| Total Market Size | 7.24 | 7.89 | 7.97 | 8.27 |
| Exchange Rates | .75 | .74 | .77 | .77 |
(total market size = (total local production + imports) - exports)
Data Sources:
Total Local Production: Industry estimates
Total Exports: Industry estimates
Total Imports: Industry estimates
Imports from U.S: Industry estimates
Leading Sub-Sectors
The performance market can be divided up into a number of sub sectors with the first being performance parts for new vehicles. These vehicles include the Ford Mustang, Jeep Cherokee, Chrysler 300C, a number of European cars imported into Australia including Audi, Porsche, Jaguar, and Mercedes; as well as Japanese models from Toyota, Honda, and Mazda. There is also a large performance market supplying parts for Australian manufactured performance vehicles from Ford and GM including the Commodore, and the Falcon. The third part of the performance market is supplying parts to the very healthy local motorsport market which includes drag racing, circuit racing, off road racing and powerboat racing.Possibly the most promising sector is the off-road market. With its vast tracks of outback and a large unfolding market as witnessed by the numbers of Hilux/Rangers sold in the local market, consumers are keen to customize their light trucks. Popular accessories include upgraded suspension components, bull bars, roof racks, carrying racks, upgraded lighting, rims, bed liners, and shock absorbers. Popular brands in the local market include Toyota Hilux, Ford Ranger, Mitsubishi Triton, Holden Colorado, Toyota Prado, Nissan Navara, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Isuzu D-Max, Mazda BT-50, and Toyota Land Cruiser 200 Series. VW is also making solid inroads with the Amarok.
Opportunities
US manufacturers have a good reputation in Australia for making high-quality, well-engineered auto aftermarket and specialty products. The best segments for US manufacturers in the local market include supplying aftermarket performance parts, off-road and light truck accessories, repair tools and consumables.US made pickups such as the Ford 150/250, GM Silverado, Toyota Tucson and Dodge Ram are not imported into Australia by the major manufacturers. They are imported by private companies and converted locally to RHD. Due to the high cost of conversion, there are relatively few of them on Australian roads.
Currently, there are relatively few barriers to exporting automotive products to Australia. If products can be classified as automotive items of minimum 51% US content, there are no customs tariffs under the US-Australia Free Trade Agreement. Documentation stating the rules of origin should accompany the shipment of goods.
Vehicle compliance is handled by the Australian state in which the vehicle is to be registered. Compliance can sometimes be more onerous than in the United StatesUS. The Australian Design Rules (ADRs) are the guiding principles in terms of compliance in Australian and sometimes small modifications can require a construction engineer’s report to ensure the vehicle complies with ADRs.
Web Resources
Australian Automotive Aftermarket AssociationAustralian Customs Service
Department of Infrastructure and Transport
Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries
Federation of Automotive Parts Manufacturers
Prepared by our U.S. Embassies abroad. With its network of 108 offices across the United States and in more than 75 countries, the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the U.S. Commercial Service trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.