Your questions answered: Will EVs bring manufacturing back to Australia?

Many car enthusiasts and proud Aussies mourned the day that this country turned its back on developing and building cars of indigenous design from concept right through to sale.

The reasons for the end of local manufacturing were many: the currency was too high, in foreign exchange terms; as a country we are too remote from export markets; production volumes; and there were limits to the appeal of our local designs in foreign markets.

And all that is to say nothing of the cost of the technological treadmill, constantly improving and reinventing powertrains for markets imposing stringent new emissions legislation, or upgrading sophisticated driver assist systems for increasingly safety-conscious communities.

But does the rise of the electric vehicle represent an opportunity for manufacturing in Australia?

Many of the systems that are in round-the-clock development (powertrains and safety systems) would be developed and manufactured elsewhere, to be shipped here for installation in a car that might replicate a design from abroad or get us back to designing our own machines once more.

But is it a practical proposition, and can business mount a case for local manufacturing?

Question: Just wanted to ask about the automotive industry in general. Our son is in Year 10 and loves cars and would love to work for a Formula 1 team. He enjoys the behind-the-scenes stuff that happens in F1 teams and what the engineers are looking for to make the cars better. Australia doesn’t have much of an automotive industry now but do you think this might change? Do you think the electric vehicle industry would be something where future jobs would be needed and how can our son find out more about this industry or anything else you think would hold out future job prospects in the automotive industry? We are in Melbourne and he had organised to do work experience at Nissan HQ but our lockdown cancelled it so he will try and organise for later in the year. – Tas S

Answer: You are wrong to think there is nothing happening in the auto industry in Australia, as Ford has more than 1500 engineers, designers and other specialists at its Broadmeadows campus and a variety of other companies including Premcar in Melbourne are doing some excellent work. Your son should definitely push ahead with Nissan and make a direct approach to Ford Australia for work experience. You should probably counsel your son that it’s a tough industry to gain that toe-hold, however. Everyone wants to be part of it.

Question: I currently drive a three-year-old Audi SQ5 but it is nearly time to change over. Could you please give me some suggestions as to what I should consider. Would a Genesis sedan be a good replacement? – Bob J

Answer: You’re in the minority wanting to move from an SUV to a sedan, Bob. The latest Audi Q5/SQ5 is impressive but so is the Genesis G70. It’s a ripper sports sedan, drives like a taut BMW and is cheaper. Just be prepared for some serious depreciation.

Question: I’m currently driving a two-door cab/tray Toyota HiLux and looking to replace it with a full electric vehicle. Is any manufacturer making this configuration? If so, who? – Andrew T

Answer: Not yet. And there are no confirmed plans in the next five years for any in the popular one-tonner class that lead sales in Australia. There are electric workhorses coming in the US, like the Tesla Cybertruck, the Rivian R1T and the Ford F-150 Lightning, but they are much bigger and similar in size to the Chevrolet Silverado and RAM 1500 currently available here after a right-hand drive conversion.

Question: With the introduction of many EVs, when do you think the next wave of improvements will come through? And what do you think it will look like? Better batteries? – Evan R

Answer: Battery tech is most likely to be the game-changer and, in conjunction, cordless charging. We recently published an article dealing with exactly that subject and it’s worth a read.

Question: I took your advice and purchased a Subaru Outback 2.5-litre Premium wagon. It’s been the best car, with no big problems – only normal wear-and-tear. But as I’m now 71 years old, I thought I might buy a new car to enjoy – perhaps my last. I’m happy to buy the latest Outback but, as you gave me great advice last time, I would be appreciative of any ideas. – Merrill H

Answer: Never consider a car as the last, as 71 is not particularly old in 2021. The Subaru Outback is still a great car, but I would recommend downsizing to the Subaru Forester. All cars have become bigger over the years so the Forester should be fine for your enjoyment.

Question: It is nearing time to update my beloved 2002 Nissan Maxima. The duco is fading badly even though it drives well. I am looking at a mid-size sedan rather than an SUV for $35,000 to $40,000 drive-away. I have looked at the Skoda Octavia sedan and wagon but I’m a little concerned about the extra cost of RON 95 fuel. Another alternative is the Toyota Camry Ascent, but when you look to upgrade to the Ascent Sport you have to have a hybrid engine which I am not interested in as we will travel mostly highway kilometres. Can you offer any suggestions? Additionally, I would like safety tech like blind spot monitoring. – John M

Answer: Have you test-driven the Mazda6? It’s in the same segment and very classy, does not require premium unleaded and most of the safety systems are standard across the range.

Question: I don’t own a car but now have a little boy so I need to buy one. My top priorities are reliability, visibility, and head space. I’d like a heavier car too. I’m looking to spend $8000-$12,000 and I am considering these used cars: Ford Escape/Mazda Tribute, Ford Territory, Mitsubishi Magna wagon, Subaru Liberty wagon or Skoda Octavia wagon. What would you say is the best car to go with? – Phil B

Answer: The Subaru Liberty is best but don’t expect too much with that budget. If you want a bigger vehicle you cannot go past the Ford Territory, which was rated carsales’ Best Used Large SUV for 2020.

Question: I am currently the owner of an Audi A3 convertible 2015 which is about to clock 125,000km (and before this I had another A3, again a convertible). I am in the market for a new car and I am stuck deciding on the car to buy as I would also love a manual transmission. The choice for other convertibles is narrow, as the A5 is too big and BMW no longer do a smaller convertible. Changing to SUVs, I have looked at the Audi Q3 and the Volkswagen Tiguan, both with exceptionally large sunroofs to apparently compensate for the convertibles. I’m impressed with both, really, but do I need such a largish car? I am a single woman with two adult sons, and ageing mother, whom I occasionally drive around, and I’m not yet a grandmother. Back in the ’80s I was an Alfa driver. The Giulia is looking very attractive to me. – Nadia B

Answer: It seems you’ve overlooked the MINI convertible. If you want a drop-top from a prestige brand, take one for a test drive. It will be bigger than you think, compared to the Audi A3, and there are three models from the basic Cooper through to the John Cooper Works with pricing from around $49,000 drive-away.

Question: My husband thinks it is time to replace my dear 2005 Mazda2 Genki hatchback manual, but I am very reluctant. The Mazda has been very reliable, with great steering, excellent power, firm seats, a great size for parking, light on fuel etc. The latest Volkswagen Golf or Polo is a consideration, but I do not feel it can beat my Genki. What is your opinion? Stay with Genki or go with Volkswagen Golf/Polo? – Germaine V

Answer: Cars have improved in every area since your Mazda2 was new and you should definitely be looking to update and upgrade. The Volkswagen Golf, although truly excellent, will probably seem quite big after all those years with the Mazda, so take a test drive in the Volkswagen Polo. The Mazda2 still comes highly rated. And also consider how much extra safety now comes standard compared to a car that is 16 years old.

Question: A reader recently asked you if Australia will become a dumping ground for internal-combustion-engined cars. I am 75 years young and driving a 2013 Holden Commodore VF SV6 and do not have the money to splurge on a new car. I like the driving of my Holden. I like pulling up at the fuel bowser, filling the tank in five minutes, and then driving away. I like the fact that there are lots of mechanics that do not freak out when looking under the bonnet of my car. An electric car is something I am not interested in. I have a relative who lives in the wheat belt country of Western Australia and driving an electric car out there would be a joke. So as far as I am concerned, clean up the fuel or – better still – develop alternative technology fuel to run my internal-combustion car on. – George N

Answer: This is a subject that many, many people are passionate about. The reality is that here in Australia we will be living with a mix of vehicle technologies for some time to come and there is no threat yet to your Commodore.

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