On 10th February, Toyota has made a "heart-breaking" decision that it will stop manufacturing in Australia by end of 2017. This afternoon I just happened to turn on TV, noticing the Japanese guy with familiar face was making an announcement. He was Akio Toyoda who is CEO of Toyota Motor Corporation. The program I was watching was ABC News and it spared most time of evening news on this sudden announcement.
I, as one Japanese staying here in Melbourne, was sad to hear this news. Apparently we can find a number of Toyota cars here. There is no wonder because Toyota has the biggest market share in Australia. According to Key Automotive Statistics 2012 issued by Australian government, the percentage of market share by Toyota is 19.6%, followed by Holden (10.3%) and Ford (8.1%). To make matters worse, these Holden and Ford already stated that they will also finish their manufacturing in Australia as well as Toyota. Holden will close in 2017 and Ford will close in 2016. Unbelievably, totaled 38.0% manufacturing in Australia market share will end in 2017. How is the industry going to be?
The car industry in Australia will definitely be obliged to change in three years. According to the comment from the Australian Council of Trade Unions, the decision could cost as many as 50,000 jobs and wipe $21 billion from the economy. The affect of Toyota's decision broke today must be huge. We have to keep an eye on what and how the government or the industry will deal with it to support workers who are supposed to lose their job. I hope they will make the industry and the economy better soon.
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