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 Australia has a strong automotive aftermarket industry, supplying a global and domestic market with accessories and parts.
Australian automotive aftermarket companies offer globally competitive products in many areas including:
- Accessories - car care, protection accessories and car security.
- Safety, comfort, appearance - entertainment and information-sound systems, navigation systems, air conditioning, body kits and styling, steering wheels, road wheels and safety belts.
- Functional performance - tow bars, bull bars, off-road equipment, roof racks.
- Body components - panels, glass, seals and rubber products.
- Tools and equipment - jacks, ramps, stands, tool kits, workshop equipment.
- Mechanical - internal engine parts, performance parts, electrical systems parts, fuel system parts, filtration products, cooling systems parts and under car parts.
- Lubricants, additives, chemicals - oils, grease, coolants, hydraulic fluids, vehicle cleaners.
- LPG/CNG kits.
- Garage maintenance and diagnostic - tyre changers, wheel balancers, hand tool sets and emission analysers.
Aftermarket competitive advantage
Australia’s competitive advantage in this industry stems from an ability to provide flexible volume to niche markets by using alternative manufacturing processes. The industry draws on the skills of supporting industries, such as tooling, design and engineering.
Australia also has favourable industry and investment policies, a highly skilled workforce, an abundant supply of raw materials and an emphasis on quality and safety. Many companies attain international standards, such as QS 9000 and Australia has world-class safety standards for LPG and CNG applications.
General information
The industry consists of businesses of all sizes, ranging from small family-run companies with two-to-three staff to major national and multi-national corporations employing over 1000 people.
In 2004, exports of components and parts were around A$1.7 billion and the major markets were the USA, South Korea and New Zealand. (See chart below).
(Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics)
Export markets
Australian automotive aftermarket products are well positioned to find markets in countries where the effects of trade liberalisation are being felt:
- In the USA the Australia/US Free Trade Agreement presents diverse opportunities for US customers to source innovative and cost-competitive products from Australia.
- Thailand has a strong 4x4 and light truck sector and Australian products are attractive to Thai customers. Under the Thailand/Australia Free Trade agreement, a range of parts and accessories that attract duties have fallen to 30 per cent and will phase to zero by 2010.
- Although a free trade agreement with China is not in place, Chinese customers servicing their rapidly growing fleet-vehicle market can find attractive solutions from Australian aftermarket suppliers.
Australian products are strong in the areas of premium 4-wheel-drive and suspension parts. Some of the leading companies are:
Other major Australian equipment suppliers whose aftermarket products include brakes, friction materials and wheels are:
For more information please visit:
www.aaaa.com.au - Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA)
www.sae-a.com.au - Australasian Society of Automotive Engineers
www.fapm.com.au - Federation of Automotive Products Manufacturers Association |