Export Facilitation and the Australian Automotive Industry

Australian automobile manufacture has been linked to Government policy directives for over 50 years. This has encouraged the growth and development of secondary manufacturing industry within Australia. The most recent changes to the protection of the local manufacturers is the Complementation or Export Facilitation scheme that allows credits for manufacturers who export components. These export credits are used by manufacturers to import parts without tariff penalties. Aims of the Export Facilitation scheme are to improve the productivity and cost structure of the Australian automobile industry by allowing world volume manufacture of parts that can be produced economically in Australia. Automotive engineers must now review their role within a new international manufacturing arena and ensure that component design and production technology meet these challenges.