A Year of Transformation in the Australian Automotive Landscape
The CarExpert newsroom has experienced an exhilarating year, marked by a surge of new automotive brands entering the Australian market. Highlights include the introduction of the highly anticipated Kia Tasman ute, the launch of the BYD Shark 6, and Toyota’s confirmed entry into the Supercars Championship. These significant developments are just a glimpse of the dynamic landscape we witnessed in 2024.
From unexpected incidents such as drivers navigating the Adelaide O-Bahn to Citroen’s withdrawal from the local market, this year has certainly kept us on our toes. However, despite the diverse range of stories, only a select few captured the keen interest of our readership, making it into our Top 5 most-read articles of the year.
Below, we present the standout news pieces that resonated the most with our audience in 2024.
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1. A Resurgence in Australia’s Automotive Heritage
While many lamented the end of an era with Holden’s final assembly in October 2017, the local automotive scene has not withered away. Some industry players have thrived, with Walkinshaw Automotive leading the charge. In a strategic move, the former manufacturer of Holden Special Vehicles announced plans in July to establish a new facility in Dandenong South dedicated to the "remanufacturing" of vehicles for the Australian market, collaborating with major Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs).
Since 2016, Walkinshaw has been actively converting American trucks from left- to right-hand drive, initially focusing on the Ram before extending its reach to the Chevrolet Silverado and Toyota Tundra. Moreover, they’ve developed a portfolio of smaller dual-cab off-road utes for various brands and successfully launched their New Age caravan line. From 2026, Walkinshaw will also add V8-powered Toyota Supras to the Australian Supercars Championship lineup, transitioning from its Ford contract.
The design of the new facility promises distinct operational zones for different brands while also engaging in broader engineering and manufacturing endeavors.
2. The Most Congested City in Australia Revealed
Traffic jams have become a ubiquitous complaint across Australia, but a recent congestion study indicates that one city has a valid reason to grumble more than others. The 2023 INRIX Global Traffic Scorecard ranks Brisbane as Australia’s most congested city and the 12th worst globally.
On average, drivers in Brisbane waste 74 hours annually due to traffic congestion—a notably sharper increase of 10% from the previous year. Melbourne follows closely behind at 62 hours, while Sydney and Perth report losses of 53 and 42 hours, respectively. A subsequent RACQ analysis identifies the Pacific Motorway as Queensland’s most congested highway, with the Bruce Highway and Centenary Motorway trailing behind.
Perhaps this traffic turmoil explains why Queensland’s politicians have instituted a permanent reduction in public transport fares to just 50 cents.
3. Iconic Automotive Brands Face Bankruptcy
The year 2024 witnessed considerable upheaval in the automotive sector, with several renowned companies filing for bankruptcy. The well-known seat manufacturer Recaro and wheel expert BBS entered insolvency proceedings in Germany due to financial struggles in their European operations. Fortunately, their global footprints remain intact, with Recaro recently acquired by an Italian company.
The automotive lifestyle brand Hoonigan, conceived by the late Ken Block, also entered bankruptcy in September. Following Ken Block’s tragic passing in January 2023, organizational shifts led to significant changes in Hoonigan’s management, sparking a wave of departures from its popular YouTube channel. Amid rising operational costs, Wheel Pros, which developed a merger with Hoonigan in 2021, announced a restructuring plan aimed at eliminating $1.2 billion in debt while striving to secure $570 million in essential capital.
4. Rising Concerns Over EV Charging Station Vandalism
Copper theft is emerging as a troubling issue for electric vehicle (EV) charging companies, particularly in the United States. Reports from Automotive News revealed that 129 charging cables were stolen from Electrify America stations within just five months of 2024, surpassing the entirety of the previous year’s thefts.
In Washington State alone, 89 cables were cut from Electrify America facilities during the same timeframe. The financial burden of replacing these cables, which can cost between $2,000 to $4,000, poses a serious threat to smaller startups. Fortunately, Australian firms like Chargefox report minimal incidents of vandalism. However, should this trend cross oceans, it could spell trouble amid an already challenging environment for EV users, who have faced disruptions from various outages and unreliable charging infrastructure.
5. Pricing and Specifications of the 2025 Toyota LandCruiser Prado Announced
The highly anticipated 2025 Toyota Prado 250 Series was first showcased in August 2023, yet it wasn’t until May 2024 that Australian consumers learned of its pricing. The news regarding substantial price increases, starting at $9,600, made this article our most-read feature as we announced the costs associated with the first new Prado in 15 years.
Despite the price hikes and its reliance on a carryover engine (with mild-hybrid enhancements), the vehicle’s impressive eight-speed automatic transmission and retro design have driven Australian buyers to eagerly await its delivery, ready to reclaim its status as the top large SUV in the market.
Which article resonated with you the most in 2024? We invite you to share your thoughts in the comments!
Source:www.carexpert.com.au
