Who needs Holden? Australian auto manufacturing thriving as Lovells opens local R&D facility
09/17/2024 06:02 AM
Local manufacturing is far from finished as Lovells cuts the ribbon for its new state-of-the art research and development facility in South Australia.
Automotive manufacturer Lovells – Australia's largest suspension component producer – has officially opened a new research and development facility in Edwardstown, South Australia.
The new $1 million 920-square metre facility will create around 20 engineering jobs and support Lovells' 'dynamic' testing at The Bend Motorsport Park as well as manufacturing in the New South Wales (NSW) Hunter Valley.
In a statement, the company – which has been operating since 1930 and is headquartered in Newcastle, NSW – said the Edwardstown facility will simulate the toughest road conditions for the design and manufacture of springs and towing components it supplies to car makers globally.
"Lovells' investment into the company's research and development capabilities reflects the broader confidence and commitment within our industry to turn great ideas into global impact," Lesley Yates, Director of Government Relations and Advocacy for the Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA), said.
"Our industry's dedication to rigorous, evidence-based testing, ensures that worldwide customers can drive with confidence that safety and durability are core to every product we develop."
Lovells employs more than 120 people in Australia and produces premium suspension and vibration suppression components for off-road, mining, emergency services and agriculture sectors as well as supplying multiple car makers.
Its business includes Australian exports to customers in Europe, the Middle East, North America and Southeast Asia.
While Holden, Ford and Toyota were the last companies to produce complete vehicles locally – with Holden the last to do so in 2017 – the local manufacturing industry continues with several success stories.
The Walkinshaw Group announced in July 2024 it had started production of a larger factory in Dandenong South, on the outskirts of Melbourne, where it will remanufacture a number of truck models across several brands from left to right-hand drive for the Australian market.
From its current premises, Walkinshaw remanufactures the Chevrolet Silverado pick-up that’s officially sold through General Motors Specialty Vehicles (GMSV) in Australia, and also Ram Trucks for local showrooms.
Walkinshaw completed its 30,000th Ram in May 2024 and applies a similar process to the Toyota Tundra pick-up for Australia.
It will also remanufacture the US-built GMC Yukon large SUV scheduled to arrive in Australia in 2025.
Similarly, Ford Australia enlisted Melbourne-based RMA Automotive to convert the F-150 to right-hand drive for local dealers when it launched its Silverado and Ram rival in 2023.
Also notable among these local companies is Premcar, the Melbourne-based engineering outfit trusted by Nissan to develop the bulked up Nissan Patrol SUV and Nissan Navara Warrior editions – with the 'Warrior' sub-brand potentially expanding to other models in the Nissan line-up.
While not confirming any new Warrior models, Nissan Australia confirmed to Drive it has been discussing potential future opportunities with Premcar.
Local exporter Redarc – based in South Australia – showcased a special-operations communication system on-board an Ineos Grenadier at the 2024 Land Forces Expo in Melbourne.
In 2022, Australia's Carbon Revolution manufactured its 50,000th carbon fibre wheel in Geelong, Victoria, and has since listed on the New York Stock Exchange (Nasdaq) in November 2023.
Carbon Revolution now has additional factories overseas and has supplied original equipment carbon fibre wheels to Ford, Ferrari, General Motors and Jaguar Land Rover, among others.
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