I ask this question simply because there is little talk either in politics or the media about the pending closure of our car industries.

I think it's fair to say this will be the single biggest event of its kind in our countries modern history and given some experts suggest we are on an unavoidable course for a recession already, I fear what may come of this little talked about event, at least in politics and main stream media. It is also one of the reasons I am opposed to Labor's proposed drastic changes to negative gearing, as the last thing we can afford is to gamble with one of the few sectors that are actually do quite well.

How do you think we will cope with potential job losses in the tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands through the fallout effects on supporting industries.

rehctub,

Do you recall Hockey practically daring the car manufacturers to bugger off?

Do you recall Abbott describing car workers who were looking down the barrel of lay offs as being "liberated"?

All those FTAs the govt is so proud of seem to be the catalyst for allowing the Oz car industry to sink.

Farewell Holden and farewell Ford, I won't miss you and I own a Holden; which mechanically is OK but in general design is lamentable and has some features that are downright stupid,

The loss of the car industry was inevitable. That's why it's not being talked about. Australia can no longer compete industrially. What else is there to say?

Previously Australia did not need to compete with local product against imported product.

it change to trade barriers that is causing loss of car manufacturing in Australia.

Even the oil refineries have moved offshore to cheaper labour.

A significant factor not being talked about is export of Australian dollars to import cars, whereas previously most of such money was turned over and over in Australia and did not leave our shores.

What's wrong here anyway?
Sweeden has only 9 million people but produces quality Volvo car and trucks exported worldwide.
Why can't 24 million Australians do similar, say with a quality mustang type 4 WD.

Too many knockers here maybe.

What I find abhorrent about welfare for the car manufactures, holden in particular, is that they manufacture cars here for the US market then they sell those cars in the US for half what we Australians pay for the Australian version of car that sells here.

What I also find abhorrent about the car manufacturers claiming corporate welfare, is that they claim they have no economy of scale here in Australia but they absolutely refuse to get together and agree on uniform specifications of many car parts that are not selling points, cosmetically necessary or performance related.

Examples off the top of my head are:

standard rim sizes with standard PCD of wheel studs, why not 3 or 4 standard sizes? Some wheel stud PCDs vary by 0.75mm. Why should the car makers get corporate welfare for this kind of efficiency?
standard wheel stud thread and retaining nut specification
accelerator and brake pedal sizes, eg 2 or 3 standard sizes.
steering wheels, eg 2-3 standard steering wheels.
indicator bulbs, why not have one uniform specification for all passenger cars? Why should the makers get corporate welfare payments for such inefficiency?

To say nothing about the environmental impact of high wastage rates of car parts due to their non-interchangeability between car makes and models.

Why should the makers get corporate welfare payments for such poor environmental performance?