Editor’s Report - August 2026
The Australian automotive landscape continues to evolve at an extraordinary pace. While our passion remains firmly rooted in the timeless engineering and craftsmanship of Rolls-Royce and Bentley, it is always worth taking a moment to reflect on the broader industry that surrounds our hobby.
The recent announcement that Peugeot will cease selling new passenger vehicles in Australia, together with Fiat’s withdrawal from our market, has prompted many enthusiasts to ask an important question: Is this the beginning of a wider trend? While both marques will continue to honour warranty obligations and provide support for existing owners through the Stellantis network, their departure is another reminder that Australia’s relatively small market has become increasingly difficult for lower-volume manufacturers. Rising compliance costs, the rapid transition towards electrification, and intense competition from new entrants have fundamentally changed the economics of selling cars in Australia.
Looking at today’s sales figures, the transformation is striking. Toyota continues to lead the Australian market, followed by familiar names such as Ford, Hyundai, Kia and Mazda. However, perhaps the biggest story is the remarkable rise of Chinese manufacturers. Brands including BYD, Chery, GWM, Geely and MG have moved from niche players to mainstream competitors in only a few years. Some are now regularly appearing in Australia’s top ten selling manufacturers, challenging the long-established Japanese, Korean, European and American brands.
The diversity of vehicle origins has never been greater. While Japan and South Korea remain major suppliers, China has rapidly become a dominant manufacturing force, particularly in electric vehicles and SUVs. Thailand continues to build many of Australia’s favourite utilities, Europe supplies premium luxury marques, and increasing numbers of vehicles now arrive from emerging manufacturing centres around the world. It is a truly global industry.
Does this mean that more manufacturers may leave Australia? Possibly. Smaller brands with limited sales volumes will continue to face commercial pressure, particularly if they cannot spread the costs of regulatory compliance across enough vehicles. On the other hand, several new brands are arriving almost as quickly as others depart, meaning Australian consumers arguably have more choice today than ever before.
For owners of classic and prestige vehicles, the obvious concern is parts availability. Fortunately, there is no immediate cause for alarm. Manufacturers are generally required to maintain parts support for many years after production ceases, and specialist aftermarket suppliers continue to provide an excellent range of components for older vehicles. Global logistics have largely recovered from the severe supply chain disruptions experienced during and immediately after the pandemic, although some specialised electronic modules and certain model-specific components can still involve lengthy waiting periods. European prestige vehicles occasionally experience extended delivery times where low-volume parts must be sourced directly from overseas factories.
Perhaps the most encouraging observation is that the collector and enthusiast community has never been stronger. As new vehicles become increasingly software-driven and electronically complex, appreciation continues to grow for the craftsmanship, elegance and mechanical integrity of our Rolls-Royce and Bentley motor cars. They represent an era when engineering excellence, refinement and longevity were the primary design objectives.
As custodians of these magnificent automobiles, we are fortunate. While the automotive industry around us continues to change at remarkable speed, our Club preserves not only the cars themselves but also the heritage, friendships and enjoyment that accompany them. That tradition is something well worth protecting for future generations.
Happy motoring, and I look forward to seeing many of you at our upcoming Club events.
Warm regards,
Wayne Spittle