Batey demands "fair go"
Holden MD Alan Batey has castigated state governments for not supporting the local manufacturing industryOnly two state governments are supporting the local automotive manufacturing industry, says Holden's Managing Director, Alan Batey -- and those two have a vested interest.
Batey (pictured), addressing the Committee for Economic Development of Australia (CEDA) last week, declared that local car builders are not supported by states other than South Australia and Victoria -- the two states in which the local manufacturers operate.
"It might surprise you to know that SA and Victoria are the only State governments which have so far bought more locally-built cars than imported cars this year," Batey told the Committee on Friday.
"Some other jurisdictions are plummeting towards 20 per cent. It's much the same in local government, which surprises and disappoints me when I look at the "source local" demands many of them make.
"Don't mistake this for a blind request to buy Australian. We're simply asking for a fair go. And I'm going to do everything I can to get Ministers, mayors and public servants out of foreign cars and back into local product."
Lack of government fleet support has been a long-standing grievance within the ranks of the local manufacturers. Some state government fleets and municipalities insist that their fleets purchase 'eco-friendly' four-cylinder models, but at present, Toyota's Camry is the only such vehicle built here. That, in part, explains how the Camry is the sales leader in its (medium-car) segment.
Toyota won't have it all its own way though, following Holden's switch from importation to manufacture for the Cruze small car and Ford's introduction of its four-cylinder 'EcoBoost' Falcon to the market. Even though the Cruze is smaller than Camry and the Falcon is larger, added fleet sales for those two cars may take sales away from the Camry, but Toyota is not sitting still waiting for that to happen. Its Hybrid Camry model is due to commence production around the middle of next month.
During his speech to CEDA, Batey discussed issues ranging from the introduction of E85-capable cars within 12 months to Holden definitely not being up for sale -- to the Chinese or anyone else -- despite the rumours.
The transcript of his speech is reproduced below:
Read the latest Carsales Network news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at www.carsales.mobi
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
