Toyota Australia has today announced that its final day of vehicle production at its Australian-based, Altona manufacturing plant, will be Tuesday 3 October 2017.
As part of the shutdown process, the Toyota plant, located in the Melbourne suburb or Altona, will stop building its Aurion vehicles in August, Camry Hybrid vehicles in September and Camry Petrol vehicles in October.
The company will continue operating both AM and PM shifts until the final closure date. This will ensure the total volume production of 61,000 vehicles for the year, made up of 26,600 domestic and 34,400 exports, is met.
Toyota Australia President Dave Buttner reinforced the company’s commitment to supporting employees throughout the transition period and beyond.
“Our priority over the remaining months is to continue to support our employees in every way possible so that they are well prepared for the future,” Mr Buttner said.
“We remain extremely proud of our rich manufacturing history which spans over 50 years. Our employees are committed to producing vehicles of the highest quality as we work towards our goal of ‘last car = best global car’.”
Toyota joins Holden and Ford in consolidation
As part of Toyota Australia’s transition to a national sales and distribution company, the consolidation of all corporate functions from Sydney to Melbourne will take effect by 1 January 2018.
Three years ago, the company revealed it would not make cars in Melbourne beyond 2017.
Toyota said staff would drop from almost 3,900 to 1,300 people when it stops manufacturing and moves most of its white-collar workforce to the city.
The head office will continue to be based in Port Melbourne and most of the Altona manufacturing site will be retained for new and relocated functions.
Toyota joins Ford and GM-owned Holden in rounding out the end of large-scale vehicle manufacturing in Australia, a move seen as a significant loss for the country as far as skills and technology development. Despite the loss, several companies, including Ford, will continue to use research and design facilities based in Australia.
