Toyota Australia
| File:Toyota logo.svg Logo used since 1989 | |
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Automotive |
| Founded | 1958 |
| Headquarters | Port Melbourne, Victoria , Australia |
Area served | Australia |
| Products | Automobiles, automotive parts |
Number of employees | 1,300 (2017) |
| Parent | Toyota Motor Corporation |
| Website | https://www.toyota.com.au/ |
Toyota Australia operates as the Australian division of the Japanese automotive giant Toyota, overseeing the marketing, motorsport activities, advertising campaigns, and overall business operations within Australia. The company is also responsible for managing Lexus brand vehicles throughout the country.
Headquartered in Port Melbourne, Toyota Australia maintains additional offices in Adelaide, Perth, Sydney, Brisbane, Townsville, and Darwin. The firm engaged in local vehicle manufacturing from 1963 until production ceased in 2017.
History
The origins of Toyota Australia trace back to 1959 when Toyota Land Cruisers were initially brought into the country by Thiess Toyota, a joint venture with a 60/40 ownership split between Thiess and Toyota, primarily serving the needs of the Snowy Mountains Scheme. By 1963, assembly operations commenced under Australian Motor Industries (AMI) at the Port Melbourne facility, starting with the production of the Toyota Tiara.
In 1972, Toyota purchased British Leyland’s share in AMI and committed $127 million toward establishing an engine and transmission manufacturing plant. This investment led to the inauguration of the Toyota Australia Altona Plant in 1978, dedicated to engine production. Two years later, in 1980, Toyota acquired Thiess’ stake in Thiess Toyota. Addressing concerns about vehicle handling specific to Australian conditions, a tailored suspension package was introduced in 1981. The first export from AMI was a Toyota Corona wagon shipped to New Zealand in 1986.
The year 1983 saw the debut of an Australian adaptation of the "Oh, what a feeling" advertising jingle, which continues to be used today. In 1987, under the leadership of Robert Johnston, Toyota Australia collaborated with Holden to create United Australian Automobile Industries, aligning with the objectives of the Button car plan. This alliance produced badge-engineered vehicles: Holden Apollo and Nova models built on Toyota Camry and Corolla platforms, alongside the Holden-manufactured Toyota Lexcen, essentially a rebadged Commodore.
By 1992, Toyota had manufactured its one-millionth vehicle locally. Production was consolidated at Altona by 1994 following the relocation from Port Melbourne. The two-millionth vehicle made in Australia emerged in 2004, while Altona produced the ten-millionth Camry globally in 2005. Manufacturing at Port Melbourne ended completely by May 2006, with all vehicle assembly transferred to Altona. That same month marked half a million vehicles exported from Australia; exports reached one million units by August 2012.
Vehicles assembled at either Altona or Port Melbourne included models such as the Tiara, Corona, Crown, Corolla, Camry, and Avalon. Notably, the Toyota Land Cruiser was never produced domestically. As of 2006, Altona’s output focused on the Camry; production of Avalon concluded and was succeeded by the introduction of the Toyota Aurion, which shared many components with the Camry. Commencing in 2010, Camry Hybrid manufacturing began following receipt of a $35 million subsidy from the federal government. The inaugural locally produced Hybrid Camry was unveiled in December 2009.
In February 2014, Toyota declared it would discontinue manufacturing vehicles and engines within Australia by late 2017. This decision was driven by factors including an unfavorable exchange rate for exports, elevated costs associated with local production, and fierce competition within a relatively small market. By late 2017, corporate activities were centralized in Melbourne with Sales & Marketing relocating from Sydney to Port Melbourne. The Altona facility transitioned into a Centre of Excellence and vehicle testing venue named the Autodrome. Consequently, staff numbers were reduced from approximately 3,900 employees to around 1,300.
Manufacturing
From 1963 until 2017, Toyota operated vehicle production facilities in Victoria, Australia.
The Altona manufacturing site assembled three models—the Camry, Camry Hybrid, and Aurion—serving both the local market and export destinations. In February 2014, Toyota Australia declared it would cease manufacturing operations by the end of 2017 and shift its focus to sales and distribution nationwide.
Toyota models produced in Australia:
- Toyota Tiara: 1963–1965
- Toyota Crown: 1966–1980
- Toyota Corona: 1965–1987
- Toyota Camry: 1987–2017
- Toyota Corolla: 1968–1999
- Holden Apollo: 1989–1996
- Holden Nova: 1989–1996
- Toyota Lexcen: 1989–1996
- Toyota Avalon: 2000–2005
- Toyota Aurion: 2006–2017
- Toyota Camry Hybrid: 2009–2017
Altona plant
Situated in Melbourne's suburb of Altona, the Toyota Australia Altona Plant operated from 1994 until its closure in 2017. It succeeded the previous Port Melbourne facility and was responsible for producing the Camry and Aurion models destined for Australasia and Middle Eastern markets, as well as the Corolla until production shifted entirely to imports. Between 2000 and 2005, the plant also manufactured the Avalon.
December 2009 marked the beginning of full-scale production of the Australian-made Toyota Camry Hybrid, representing a significant achievement in domestic automotive manufacturing.
In April 2012, Toyota reduced its workforce by 350 employees as part of restructuring measures, a move that attracted criticism regarding the management of redundancies.
Operations at the Altona plant concluded on 3 October 2017, bringing an end to Toyota's vehicle manufacturing activities within Australia.
In March 2019, Toyota revealed plans to convert the Altona site into a Hydrogen Centre, with partial funding from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA). Officially commissioned in March 2021, this facility includes commercial hydrogen production via electrolysis, storage capabilities, refuelling infrastructure, alongside an education centre and support services for a demonstration fleet of Toyota Mirai fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs).
The centre produces up to 80 kilograms of hydrogen daily using a 200 kW electrolyser powered by an array of energy sources including an 87 kW solar panel system, a 100 kW battery storage unit, or grid electricity. It hosts Victoria’s inaugural public hydrogen refuelling station and incorporates a 30 kW fuel cell that provides backup power and can feed electricity back into the grid.
Supporting the Australian launch of the second-generation Toyota Mirai in April 2021, the centre initially supplied twenty vehicles to various organizations and enterprises. Prior to this, Toyota had imported ten first-generation Mirais for a loan program between 2018 and 2019, which was supported by a portable hydrogen refuelling station developed in 2016.
Sales
For eighteen straight years—from 2003 through to 2020—Toyota Australia maintained its position as the leading new car seller across the country.
| Year | Units sold | Sales rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 186,370 | 1 |
| 2004 | 201,737 | 1 |
| 2005 | 202,817 | 1 |
| 2006 | 213,847 | 1 |
| 2007 | 236,647 | 1 |
| 2008 | 238,983 | 1 |
| 2009 | 200,991 | 1 |
| 2010 | 214,718 | 1 |
| 2011 | 181,624 | 1 |
| 2012 | 218,176 | 1 |
| 2013 | 214,630 | 1 |
| 2014 | 203,501 | 1 |
| 2015 | 206,236 | 1 |
| 2016 | 209,610 | 1 |
| 2017 | 216,566 | 1 |
| 2018 | 217,061 | 1 |
| 2019 | 205,766 | 1 |
| 2020 | 204,801 | 1 |
These sales figures do not include those for Lexus vehicles.
Lineup
Passenger vehicles
- Toyota Yaris (subcompact automobile)
- Toyota Corolla (compact automobile)
- Toyota Camry (mid-size automobile)
- Toyota GR86 (performance sports car)
- Toyota GR Yaris (performance sports car)
- Toyota GR Supra (performance sports car)
SUV offerings
- Toyota Yaris Cross (mini SUV/subcompact crossover)
- Toyota C-HR (subcompact crossover SUV)
- Toyota Corolla Cross (compact crossover SUV)
- Toyota RAV4 (compact crossover SUV)
- Toyota bZ4X (compact crossover SUV)
- Toyota Kluger (mid-size crossover SUV)
- Toyota Fortuner (mid-size SUV)
- Toyota Land Cruiser Prado (full-size SUV)
- Toyota Land Cruiser (full-size SUV)
Commercial lineup
- Toyota Hilux (mid-size utility vehicle)
- Toyota Tundra (full-size utility vehicle)
- Toyota Land Cruiser (J70) (utility/troop carrier/full-size SUV)
- Toyota HiAce (van)
- Toyota Granvia (people mover)
- Toyota Coaster (bus)
Motorsport
Between 1985 and 1990, Toyota Team Australia competed in the Australian Touring Car Championship, fielding Sprinters, Corollas, and a Supra under the management of A.M.I Toyota with Tony Niovanni as Team Manager. The team also took part in the Australian Rally Championship, featuring driver Neal Bates.
In March 2015, Toyota Australia introduced an accessible grassroots racing series centered on the Toyota 86 coupe, held at select events within the Supercars Championship. From 2016 onward, the Toyota 86 Pro-Am series—a professional-amateur competition overseen by Toyota Racing Australia and sanctioned by the Confederation of Australian Motor Sport—has paired professional drivers with amateurs competing for starting positions.
Supporting facilities
The Toyota Technical Centre Australia (TTC-AU), launched in June 2003 in Notting Hill, Victoria, specialized in Body Engineering; Chassis and Mechanical Engineering & Evaluation; Customer Quality Engineering; Electronics Engineering; and Support functions. This facility ceased operations on 30 June 2016, resulting in the elimination of 160 positions.
Sponsorship
Toyota Australia actively supports community initiatives by sponsoring prominent Australian sports and events. It has served as a major partner of the Australian Football League since 2004 and additionally supports AFLW, Cricket Australia, the Australian Paralympic Committee, cycling, triathlon, surfing, and snow sports. Furthermore, Toyota is a principal partner of the Tamworth Country Music Festival and the lead sponsor of Planet Ark's National Tree Day.