As we look back through the past half century of vehicle development, we’ve seen the shift from what was predominantly British or Western European in origin, to encompass firstly the Japanese manufacturers, followed by the South Korean vehicle builders and now those of China, soon to be followed by India.
The early stages of vehicle manufacturing by developing nations has always followed a similar pattern, with engine development and quality of fit and finish lagging by comparison with the more popular brands already established in the market. That variance in equipment, efficiency and quality of assembly still features when a new marque arrives on Australian soil. The difference, though, is that within just a few years the gap will close as the newcomers quickly learn what interests Australian buyers and subsequently make the necessary adjustments to their designs.