Remember these? Many brands remain in the Australian new car market, but some haven’t been so lucky. The Repco Garage reflects on some of these forgotten brands, which had a crack at selling cars down under.
SEAT
The Spanish manufacturer was on sale in Australia between 1995 and 1999, but it proved a difficult initiation for the Volkswagen Group. Launched with a network of 29 dealers, it was pitched at the youth market due to the unfavourable exchange rate for Japanese brands, however the Korean marques were the ones to take full advantage not SEAT. Sales floundered and a re-launch moving into 1999 failed to save the brand in Australia.
Proton
Plucky Malaysian brand Proton reached its peak in the 1990s through the Satria nameplate, but lasted 22 years in Australia up until 2017.
Using Mitsubishi mechanicals and chassis, Proton was not a success in Australia, but didn’t flop as much as some other brands on this list.
Joining the Satria in the line-up was the Jumbuck ute during the early-2000s providing a bounce back in sales. Later models including the Gen-2, Savvy, Preve and Suprima didn’t capture the same success leading to the brand leaving in 2017, though promising a return. This has yet to happen.
Saab
Known for its abstract thinking and safety, Saab closed up shop in 2013 not just in Australia as it ended in 2013 globally despite many companies emerging to save the company such as Spyker.
Saab enjoyed a long history in Australia where its turbocharged saloons attracted new fans of the marque and its rallying prowess was displayed on the Southern Cross Rally via the skill of Stig Blomqvist.
General Motors bailed out Saab in 1989 and purchased the entire company in 2000, but the parent company’s bankruptcy during the global financial crisis of 2008 placed the marque back on the market.
Dutch supercar company Spyker purchased the assets, but this lasted until 2011 when again bankruptcy loomed. Chinese consortium National Electric Vehicle Sweden took over the assets and used the Saab trademark until 2016.
Daihatsu
Featuring it’s ‘Daihatsu, that’s who!’ tagline during its formative years, Daihatsu earnt a reputation of building reliable models during its 30 year stint in Australia. The Sirion, Terios, Charade and Delta mini trucks owned good reputations, especially the latter as a workhorse accessible to many small businesses.
Owned by Toyota, it was pulled from the market in 2005 and is still sold in Japan.
Alongside the introduction of the Delta light truck, Daihatsu also led the introduction of small four-wheel-drives onto the Australian market ahead of rivals such as Suzuki.
Opel
Formerly of General Motors ownership, but now part of the monster Stellantis range of manufacturers German brand Opel was another to try the Australian market.
When owned by General Motors during the early-2010s, Opel arrived in Australia to much fanfare and left almost as quick.
Following on from the global financial crisis, the Australian car market was booming in 2012 and Opel featured many nameplates familiar to Australians headlined by the Astra.
However, Opel sold just 1530 units in its sole year and bombed.