2011 was the year the Australian automotive industry faced three combined and considerable challenges – a changing political landscape, tempestuous environmental events, and uncertain economic conditions.
At home a minority Australian Government took office as extreme weather events devastated many Australian communities. Global uncertainty also overshadowed our economy while natural disasters impacted key product supply areas, most noticeably Japan and Thailand.
The first six months of 2011 were tough, with vehicle sales considerably down on long-term averages and also on 2010 levels. The winter of 2011 was characterised by a sustained shortage of new vehicles from regions affected by tsunami, earthquake and floods, and it was only towards the end of the year that supply came close to meeting demand.
Read more in the FCAI Annual Report for 2011