Toyota Oz Says Government to Determine Industry’s Future

Toyota Motor Corp. Australia Ltd. says vehicle manufacturing has a long-term future in Australia – if government policies allow.

David Buttner, Toyota Australia senior executive director-sales and marketing, says parent auto maker Toyota Motor Corp. always looks closely at the policies in any market in which it operates.

“When they establish in a market they make sure they want to stay there,” he says in a published report. “But you have to ensure when you have those levels of investment that the economy and the medium- to longer-term policies mean you can sustain your manufacturing operations.”

Toyota has been producing vehicles in Australia since 1963.

Buttner says the federal government’s review of the auto industry and its views on assistance and tariff protection are a crucial component in the equation.

“We will actively and willingly participate in the (government’s) review in putting forward our opinion on what we believe is the appropriate way forward,” he says. “I’d certainly like to think there’s a long-term future for car manufacturing in Australia.”

Toyota Corolla Australia’s best-selling small car in March.

The three domestic auto makers, Toyota, GM Holden Ltd. and Ford Motor Co. of Australia Ltd., say one way to ensure the industry’s future is to freeze import tariffs at the present 10% rather than cut them to 5% in 2010 as scheduled.

To enforce Toyota’s commitment to local production, Buttner tells a local news website he hopes Ford Australia’s soon-to-be-launched FG Falcon succeeds.

“I don’t comment on competitors’ products, but because (Ford is) a local manufacturer, I wish them every success,” he says.

“I think it’s important the three remaining local manufacturers have a good volume base that supports local suppliers, creates employment in Australia and generates income. So I hope they do very well with the (Falcon).”