Try as I might, I just don’t feel as upset as when I think about the fates of Ford and Holden

Celicas and 16v Corollas, plus some rallying success, were all (mostly imported) high watermarks, but where Holden and Ford enjoyed a consistent flow of desirable (if imperfect) product, Toyota’s enthusiast appeal has been more sporadic.

My days as an impressionable youngster occurred in one of the troughs, but while Toyota missed the chance to capture my interest and loyalty, where I stumbled upon an unwelcome sense of perspective is when I asked myself: is this how most Australians feel about Ford and Holden? Outside of the rustedon enthusiast base, does the average punter care that come November, Australia’s ability to build a car from the ground up will cease to exist? Or will they see a headline on the news, shrug their shoulders and move on? I fear it’s the latter, especially for many young people. wider 50,000-strong supplier industry. Just like Ford and Holden, Toyota has produced and nurtured generations of innovative engineers and designers who have done an outstanding job of creating cars that haven’t only influenced what we drive in Australia, but the world over. Building cars here has changed the lives of thousands of hard-working Aussies, and given others the opportunity to make it big on the international stage. And that, more than any Crown, Corolla or Camry, has been Toyota’s greatest contribution to this country. I wonder how many people will consider that when they see the news of the closure pop up on their Facebook feeds?