Nissan Motor Australia

Nissan Motor Australia is the Australian operating arm of Japanese automaker Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. The business is responsible primarily for importing, distributing, marketing, selling, and supporting Nissan vehicles in Australia. Its activities include relationships with dealers, vehicle distribution, customer service, parts and after-sales support, and financial services offered through Nissan Financial Services Australia. Nissan vehicles were imported into Australia as early as the 1930s, but the brand developed a more substantial local presence during the 1960s. Australian industrialist Lawrence Hartnett became involved in local Nissan sales in the early part of that decade. In 1966, Sydney-based Pressed Metal Corporation began assembling Bluebird vehicles for the Australian market, with reported annual capacity of as many as 20,000 units. The local business operated during a period when Australia encouraged high levels of domestic vehicle production and required international manufacturers to establish substantial local manufacturing operations. Nissan expanded its manufacturing presence through the Clayton plant in Victoria. Datsun vehicles were assembled there from 1968 under Motor Producers Limited, a company associated with the former Volkswagen Australia operation. Nissan’s Australian sales grew rapidly: by 1971, it was reported to be selling twice as many vehicles in Australia as Volkswagen. Nissan subsequently expanded assembly activity and took over Motor Producers Limited after Volkswagen decided not to continue investing in the facility. Nissan also assumed responsibility for limited local assembly of Volkswagen vehicles during the transition period from April 1976 until March 1977. Independent Nissan production at Clayton began in 1977 with the Datsun 200B. Australian-built vehicles could differ from their Japanese counterparts; for example, the local 200B used a different rear axle. Other vehicles assembled in Australia included the Nissan Gazelle and Nissan Pulsar. In 1986, the locally produced range was supplemented by the Nissan Skyline and Nissan Pintara. Nissan’s Australian vehicle manufacturing ended in 1992. Output had fallen from nearly 58,000 vehicles in 1990 to fewer than 36,000 in 1991, and the final year produced 20,231 vehicles. Nissan’s Australian industrial activities also included a foundry and the Nissan Casting Plant, established in 1982. During the mid-1980s, approximately 90 percent of foundry production was exported. The casting operation remained significant after vehicle assembly ended and was described as still manufacturing cast engine parts in 2017, making it Australia’s last remaining original-equipment automotive parts manufacturer according to the referenced account. The contemporary business is primarily a national automotive importer and distributor rather than a vehicle manufacturer. In 2009, Nissan launched Nissan Financial Services in Australia as a wholly owned subsidiary serving dealers and customers. In 2013, the Australian financial-services operation established a wholly owned New Zealand subsidiary, Nissan Financial Services New Zealand Pty Ltd. Nissan Motor Australia is headquartered in Mulgrave, Victoria, and continues to represent Nissan’s commercial interests and customer operations in the Australian market.

Nissan’s Australian presence predates the establishment of its formal local operating structure. Nissan automobiles were imported into Australia from at least the 1930s. The marque gained greater commercial traction in the early 1960s when Australian industrialist Lawrence Hartnett became involved in local sales. A major step toward an integrated Australian operation came in 1966, when Sydney-based Pressed Metal Corporation began assembling Bluebird vehicles for the local market. The reported capacity was as high as 20,000 cars per year. Nissan’s manufacturing footprint expanded in Victoria during the late 1960s and 1970s. Datsun vehicles were assembled at the former Volkswagen Australia plant from 1968 under Motor Producers Limited. Nissan’s sales performance strengthened rapidly, and by 1971 it was reported to be selling twice as many vehicles in Australia as Volkswagen. The Australian government’s industrial policy encouraged manufacturers to achieve high levels of local content, including a target of 85 percent local production. Nissan responded by expanding the Clayton operation and agreeing to take full control of Motor Producers Limited after Volkswagen chose not to make further investment in the facility. During the transition, Nissan oversaw the local assembly of Volkswagen vehicles from April 1976 until that activity ended in March 1977. Independent Nissan production at Clayton began in 1977 with the Datsun 200B. The Australian version was not identical to the Japanese model and used a different rear axle. The plant subsequently assembled a range of vehicles under the Datsun and Nissan names, including the Nissan Gazelle and Nissan Pulsar. Nissan Skyline and Nissan Pintara production was added in 1986. The Australian manufacturing operation faced declining production toward the end of the 1980s and early 1990s. Nearly 58,000 vehicles were made in 1990, but output dropped below 36,000 in 1991. Nissan ended Australian vehicle production in 1992, building 20,231 vehicles in its final year. After the end of vehicle assembly, Nissan Motor Australia’s principal role became the importation, distribution, marketing, sale, and support of Nissan vehicles in Australia. Nissan’s Australian industrial activities also included component manufacturing. Nissan Motor Manufacturing Company operated a foundry, and the Nissan Casting Plant was established in 1982. By the mid-1980s, around 90 percent of the foundry’s output was reportedly exported. The casting plant continued to manufacture cast engine parts after the end of vehicle assembly and was described in 2017 as Australia’s last remaining original-equipment automotive parts manufacturer. Nissan broadened its Australian commercial offering in financial services in 2009 by creating Nissan Financial Services Australia, a wholly owned subsidiary serving dealers and vehicle customers. In 2013, that company established a wholly owned New Zealand subsidiary. Nissan Motor Australia is headquartered in Mulgrave, Victoria, and its modern role is centered on Nissan’s Australian market operations rather than domestic vehicle assembly.

• 2013

  New Zealand financial-services subsidiary is formed

  [1]Nissan Motor Australiaen.wikipedia.org

  Nissan Financial Services Australia established Nissan Financial Services New Zealand Pty Ltd as a wholly owned subsidiary.

• 2009

  Nissan Financial Services Australia launches

  [1]Nissan Motor Australiaen.wikipedia.org

  Nissan created a wholly owned financial-services subsidiary for Australian dealers and customers.

• 1992

  Australian vehicle production ends

  [1]Nissan Motor Australiaen.wikipedia.org

  Nissan ended vehicle manufacturing in Australia after producing 20,231 vehicles in its final year.

• 1986

  Skyline and Pintara join local production

  [1]Nissan Motor Australiaen.wikipedia.org

  The locally assembled range was expanded with the Nissan Skyline and Nissan Pintara.

• 1982

  Nissan Casting Plant is established

  [1]Nissan Motor Australiaen.wikipedia.org

  The Nissan Casting Plant was built as part of Nissan’s Australian component-manufacturing activities.

• 1977

  Independent Clayton production starts

  [1]Nissan Motor Australiaen.wikipedia.org

  Nissan began independent production at Clayton with the Datsun 200B.

• 1971

  Nissan surpasses Volkswagen in Australian sales

  [1]Nissan Motor Australiaen.wikipedia.org

  Nissan was reported to be selling twice as many vehicles in Australia as Volkswagen.

• 1968

  Datsun assembly begins at the former Volkswagen plant

  [1]Nissan Motor Australiaen.wikipedia.org

  Datsun vehicles began to be assembled at the closed Volkswagen Australia plant under Motor Producers Limited.

• 1966

  Local Bluebird assembly begins

  [1]Nissan Motor Australiaen.wikipedia.org

  Pressed Metal Corporation began assembling Bluebird vehicles for Australia, with reported annual capacity of up to 20,000 units.

• 1930

  Nissan vehicles begin appearing in Australia

  [1]Nissan Motor Australiaen.wikipedia.org

  Nissan automobiles were imported into Australia as early as the 1930s, establishing a market presence before the company developed local assembly operations.

A national automotive importer, distributor, retail-support, and after-sales organization representing Nissan in Australia, with a historical role in local vehicle assembly and component manufacturing.

• Passenger car · 1966

  Datsun Bluebird

  The Bluebird was among the earliest Nissan-related vehicles assembled for the Australian market. Pressed Metal Corporation began local assembly in 1966, helping Nissan move beyond a purely imported-car presence and establish a domestic manufacturing base.

• Passenger car · 1977

  Datsun 200B

  The Datsun 200B was the first vehicle produced independently by Nissan at its Clayton facility in 1977. The Australian version included specifications that differed from the Japanese model, including a different rear axle.

• Passenger car

  Nissan Gazelle

  The Nissan Gazelle was one of the models assembled by Nissan in Australia during its local-production era. It formed part of the company’s broader locally manufactured passenger-car range before assembly ended in 1992.

• Passenger car

  Nissan Pulsar

  The Nissan Pulsar was assembled in Australia as part of Nissan’s locally produced passenger-car portfolio. It was among the models manufactured at Clayton before Nissan withdrew from Australian vehicle production.

• Passenger car · 1986

  Nissan Skyline

  The Nissan Skyline joined the Australian assembly range in 1986. Its local production reflected Nissan’s attempt to maintain a broad passenger-vehicle portfolio during the final phase of Australian manufacturing.

• Passenger car · 1986

  Nissan Pintara

  The Nissan Pintara was added to the Australian-built range in 1986 alongside the Skyline. It was produced during the late period of Nissan’s Clayton manufacturing operation.

• Automotive financial services · 2009

  Nissan Financial Services Australia

  Established in 2009 as a wholly owned Nissan subsidiary, Nissan Financial Services Australia provides financial services for Nissan dealers and customers. Its activities expanded regionally in 2013 through the creation of a wholly owned New Zealand subsidiary.

• 2009

  Nissan expands into captive automotive financeStrategy

  Background

  Nissan sought to provide dedicated financial services to its Australian dealer network and customers.

  Action taken

  Nissan launched Nissan Financial Services Australia as a wholly owned subsidiary.

  Aftermath

  The financial-services operation later expanded into New Zealand through a wholly owned subsidiary established in 2013.

  Source

• 1992

  Nissan ends Australian vehicle assemblyStrategy

  Background

  Local production had declined from nearly 58,000 vehicles in 1990 to fewer than 36,000 in 1991.

  Action taken

  Nissan discontinued vehicle manufacturing in Australia after producing 20,231 vehicles during 1992.

  Aftermath

  Nissan Motor Australia’s role shifted toward vehicle importing, distribution, marketing, sales, and customer support, while component manufacturing continued at the casting operation.

  Source

• 1976

  Nissan takes control of the Clayton operationStrategy

  Background

  The Australian government was promoting high local-production levels, while Volkswagen no longer wanted to invest in its former plant.

  Action taken

  Nissan agreed to take full control of Motor Producers Limited and expanded the facility toward full vehicle production. Nissan also assumed responsibility for limited Volkswagen CKD assembly during the transition.

  Aftermath

  Independent Nissan production began at Clayton in 1977, but vehicle manufacturing in Australia ultimately ended in 1992.

  Source

• 2013

  Nissan Financial Services Australia establishes a New Zealand subsidiary[1]Nissan Motor Australiaen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  Nissan Financial Services Australia created Nissan Financial Services New Zealand Pty Ltd as a wholly owned subsidiary serving the New Zealand market.

• 2009

  Nissan launches Nissan Financial Services in Australia[1]Nissan Motor Australiaen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  Nissan established Nissan Financial Services as a wholly owned Australian subsidiary to provide financing and related financial services to Nissan dealers and customers.

1. 1Nissan Motor Australiaen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Sunverge Announces Strategic Partnership with Simply Energy, Nissan Australia and Wallbox to Deliver Electric Vehicle-to-Home and Electric Vehicle-to-Grid Servicesibtimes.com.au