Walkinshaw Automotive Group reveals new home

Walkinshaw Automotive Group (WAG) has today turned the first sod on its new headquarters and factory in Melbourne, which will deliver more space, more vehicles and more jobs.

Construction is now underway on the all-new HQ and production facility in Dandenong (pictured here in renders), which is expected to be built and fully functional by late 2025.

WAG is yet to confirm exactly which right-hand drive conversion programs will be accommodated at the new facility, but a spokesperson told carsales its significantly expanded operations “give us greater scope for other projects and more flexibility”.

The new facility covers around 100,000 square-metres and will allow Walkinshaw to expand the right-hand drive ‘remanufacturing’ programs it undertakes on behalf of some of the world’s biggest auto brands including RAM, Chevrolet and, soon, GMC and Toyota.

WAG employs more than 1200 people and most of them are employed to convert full-size US pick-ups led by the RAM 1500 and Chevrolet Silverado 1500.

Demand for jumbo-size American pick-up trucks has exploded in Australia, as evidenced by WAG’s production tally of 12,500 vehicles in 2023 alone – in addition the official Ford F-150 program and a number of independent converters.

That number is expected to grow significantly in future as the company expands its facilities and adds vehicles like the GMC Yukon full-size SUV and, almost certainly, the Toyota Tundra pick-up.

Walkinshaw converted its 30,000th RAM truck in May and has produced around 10,000 Silverados for the Australian marketplace as well.

The company has also converted around 300 Tundras as part of a year-long trial by the Japanese car-maker, which is expected to confirm its full-size pick-up for Australian release in early 2025 soon.

The F-150 has also created more interest in the extra-large pick-up segment thanks to Ford Australia and its conversion partner RMA, which beat WAG during the tender process for the right to remanufacture the world’s most popular pick-up – and North America’s top-selling new vehicle – for Aussie customers.

RMA has experienced several teething issues with the F-150 since its launch here in late in 2023, leading to stop-sales and several recalls to fix a range of problems.

On top of its production capabilities, the privately-owned Walkinshaw Automotive Group also has a significant development and engineering department that is working on other vehicles for a more diverse range of manufacturers,

It previously developed and produced flagship versions of the original Volkswagen Amarok and superseded Mitsubishi Triton.

WAG is expected to help deliver a new ‘W600’ version of the second-generation VW Amarok, is also understood to be undertaking development work for Chinese 4x4 brands like Mengshi and says it has the expertise to convert battery-electric pick-ups if and when required.

According to the company, the new facility at 820 Taylors Road, Dandenong South– which will include hardstand areas, office spaces and a colossal carpark – will be ‘world-class’.

“The consolidation of our manufacturing and engineering facilities will also help make us more

competitive on a global scale by improving efficiencies and investing in the latest technologies,” said Walkinshaw Group director and CEO, Ryan Walkinshaw.

He added that the new facility signals the company’s “ongoing commitment to the Australian manufacturing and engineering industries long-term,” and that the “…state-of-the-art facility ensures the Walkinshaw Automotive Group continues our expansion and continues our ability to be industry leaders in engineering and manufacturing, all from under one roof.

It’s not yet clear if WAG’s existing HQ and production factory in nearby Clayton will be shuttered when the brand-new facility comes online late next year.

A company representative told carsales the fate of the Clayton facility will be decided at a later and is dependent on how quickly the company grows and whether more space is needed.

Today’s groundbreaking ceremony for the new Dandenong facility was attended by Walkinshaw employees and executives from Salta, the project manager of the new build. Construction will be undertaken by FDC.

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