Toyota to end manufacturing in Australia


2017 will see the end of Toyota manufacturing cars in Australia.

The Japanese auto giant joins Ford and General Motors in their decision to exit the country, leaving Australia without production lines for any consumer carmaker.

High manufacturing costs, an elevated Australian dollar and low economies of scale are behind the move according to the company. Toyota Australia President Max Yasuda said, "There are too many factors beyond our control that make it unviable to build cars in Australia."

With 2,500 Toyota employees affected, the country's biggest automotive exporter will bring to an end over 50 years of manufacturing cars in Australia.