Discover the missing years of Australia's top cars and why they vanished
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Many of us have a soft spot for vintage cars. But did you ever wonder why some of your favourites disappeared, only to re-emerge years later?
These missing generations aren't from a lapse in your memory—they are actually the result of automobile market dynamics and some very intriguing business decisions!
Australians have become accustomed to occasional delays when it comes to welcoming world-renowned cars onto our sun-kissed shores. You might recall how the first-generation Kia Niro arrived just a year before its successor was introduced.
The automobile world is filled with numerous instances where Australians have been left in the lurch, missing out on entire car generations. There are countless reasons behind these absentees, ranging from models specifically designed for other markets to cars not built for a right-hand drive locale.
Now, let's buckle up and embark on a nostalgia-filled ride as we unravel the lost generations of some of Australia's iconic cars and decode the mystery behind their absence.
Ford Everest
Kicking off our journey is the iconic Ford Everest. A familiar nameplate that ventured into Australia in 2015, the Everest is a wagon version of the beloved Ranger ute.
It had a predecessor named Raider, a model that was displayed in showrooms from 1991 to 1996 and proudly wore a Mazda Proceed Marvie-inspired look, thereby mimicking the Ford Courier/Mazda B-Series twins.
However, there is a missing link here in this car’s lineage: the mighty first-generation Everest.
Available from 2003 to 2015, this SUV was designed keeping Southeast Asian markets in mind. Despite its grandeur and a hefty US$100 million (AU$150 million) price tag to create it mysteriously never voyaged to Australia.
Everest finally found its way onto Australian roads in the form of its second generation in 2015, gaining much popularity among local adventure enthusiasts due to its off-road capabilities and comfortable on-road drive.
Volkswagen Caddy
Delving deeper into the automobile archive, we find the reputable Volkswagen Caddy in its youthful days. Launched as a compact ute derived from the Golf, this compact ute was introduced in 1979 in the US as the Rabbit Pickup.
The Caddy ute, which made its debut in 1996, was essentially a Skoda Felicia Utility that had the Volkswagen badge affixed to it. It was produced at the same Czech plant as the Skoda.
On the other hand, the second type of Caddy was a rounded van that was manufactured in Spain. It was a rebadged version of the SEAT Inca, which was the van variant of the SEAT Cordoba. This van shared a similar design with the Combo, derived from the Holden Barina/Opel Corsa.
Despite its immense popularity, Australia remained oblivious to this marvel up until 2003, when exports were made to the country with its third generation.
Toyota Camry
Reversing back to the lanes of Toyota, Camry’s first arrival onto our shores, an imported five-door hatchback in 1983, surely rings a bell.
But do you remember the four-door sedan variant that was made available in 1982 in other global markets? Moreover, the first bearer of Camry's name was a short-lived Celica Camry sedan, exclusively sold in Japan in 1980.
Toyota boasts a robust and longstanding dealer network in Japan, comprising distinct channels. Up until 2020, specific Toyota vehicle models were exclusively sold through each channel, and Toyota would often produce subtly varied versions of the vehicles to cater to the preferences of each dealer channel.
To illustrate, while we had access to the Cressida model here, customers in Japan were offered a choice between the Cressida and its closely related counterparts, the Chaser and Cresta, which featured subtle differences in design and features.
As fate would have it, sunrise never knocked on the doors of the Celica Camry in Australia.
Lexus ES
Lastly, steering our ride towards luxury, we arrive at the Lexus ES. A strong local market contender, it carries several lost years in its legacy.
The ES made its grand international debut in 1989, resonating as the ES250 on US soil, yet it touched base on Australian terrain only in 1992.
Lexus introduced exciting features such as adaptive cruise control, rain-sensing wipers, and a panoramic sunroof with the fifth-generation ES. However, with sales figures dwindling in the Australian market, Aussies missed out on this generation. It was only until the sixth generation—when Lexus decided to reintroduce ES in the right-hand drive format—that it reappeared in Australia.
Whether you're a passionate car enthusiast or simply enjoy the occasional vintage car meet, we sincerely hope that these captivating tales of missing cars have taken you on a journey down memory lane, evoking fond thoughts of days gone by. Our aim is to stir up pleasant memories and leave you with a smile on your face!
And since we're still on the topic of cars, how about sharing your cherished memories of your very first car? We can't wait to read your heart-warming stories and experiences in the comments below!
These missing generations aren't from a lapse in your memory—they are actually the result of automobile market dynamics and some very intriguing business decisions!
Australians have become accustomed to occasional delays when it comes to welcoming world-renowned cars onto our sun-kissed shores. You might recall how the first-generation Kia Niro arrived just a year before its successor was introduced.
The automobile world is filled with numerous instances where Australians have been left in the lurch, missing out on entire car generations. There are countless reasons behind these absentees, ranging from models specifically designed for other markets to cars not built for a right-hand drive locale.
Now, let's buckle up and embark on a nostalgia-filled ride as we unravel the lost generations of some of Australia's iconic cars and decode the mystery behind their absence.
Vehicles are often designed with other markets in mind and may not be produced in right-hand drive versions for the Australian market. Credit: CarExpert.
Ford Everest
Kicking off our journey is the iconic Ford Everest. A familiar nameplate that ventured into Australia in 2015, the Everest is a wagon version of the beloved Ranger ute.
It had a predecessor named Raider, a model that was displayed in showrooms from 1991 to 1996 and proudly wore a Mazda Proceed Marvie-inspired look, thereby mimicking the Ford Courier/Mazda B-Series twins.
However, there is a missing link here in this car’s lineage: the mighty first-generation Everest.
Available from 2003 to 2015, this SUV was designed keeping Southeast Asian markets in mind. Despite its grandeur and a hefty US$100 million (AU$150 million) price tag to create it mysteriously never voyaged to Australia.
Everest finally found its way onto Australian roads in the form of its second generation in 2015, gaining much popularity among local adventure enthusiasts due to its off-road capabilities and comfortable on-road drive.
Before the Caddy was a Golf-derived van, it was a Golf-derived ute. Credit: CarExpert.
Volkswagen Caddy
Delving deeper into the automobile archive, we find the reputable Volkswagen Caddy in its youthful days. Launched as a compact ute derived from the Golf, this compact ute was introduced in 1979 in the US as the Rabbit Pickup.
The Caddy ute, which made its debut in 1996, was essentially a Skoda Felicia Utility that had the Volkswagen badge affixed to it. It was produced at the same Czech plant as the Skoda.
On the other hand, the second type of Caddy was a rounded van that was manufactured in Spain. It was a rebadged version of the SEAT Inca, which was the van variant of the SEAT Cordoba. This van shared a similar design with the Combo, derived from the Holden Barina/Opel Corsa.
Despite its immense popularity, Australia remained oblivious to this marvel up until 2003, when exports were made to the country with its third generation.
In 1983, Australia welcomed the debut of the very first Toyota Camry. It arrived on the scene as an imported five-door hatchback. Credit: CarExpert.
Toyota Camry
Reversing back to the lanes of Toyota, Camry’s first arrival onto our shores, an imported five-door hatchback in 1983, surely rings a bell.
But do you remember the four-door sedan variant that was made available in 1982 in other global markets? Moreover, the first bearer of Camry's name was a short-lived Celica Camry sedan, exclusively sold in Japan in 1980.
Toyota boasts a robust and longstanding dealer network in Japan, comprising distinct channels. Up until 2020, specific Toyota vehicle models were exclusively sold through each channel, and Toyota would often produce subtly varied versions of the vehicles to cater to the preferences of each dealer channel.
To illustrate, while we had access to the Cressida model here, customers in Japan were offered a choice between the Cressida and its closely related counterparts, the Chaser and Cresta, which featured subtle differences in design and features.
As fate would have it, sunrise never knocked on the doors of the Celica Camry in Australia.
The Lexus ES, which was the second vehicle introduced by the brand in Australia, has consistently held its place in Lexus showrooms throughout the country. Credit: CarExpert.
Lexus ES
Lastly, steering our ride towards luxury, we arrive at the Lexus ES. A strong local market contender, it carries several lost years in its legacy.
The ES made its grand international debut in 1989, resonating as the ES250 on US soil, yet it touched base on Australian terrain only in 1992.
Lexus introduced exciting features such as adaptive cruise control, rain-sensing wipers, and a panoramic sunroof with the fifth-generation ES. However, with sales figures dwindling in the Australian market, Aussies missed out on this generation. It was only until the sixth generation—when Lexus decided to reintroduce ES in the right-hand drive format—that it reappeared in Australia.
Whether you're a passionate car enthusiast or simply enjoy the occasional vintage car meet, we sincerely hope that these captivating tales of missing cars have taken you on a journey down memory lane, evoking fond thoughts of days gone by. Our aim is to stir up pleasant memories and leave you with a smile on your face!
And since we're still on the topic of cars, how about sharing your cherished memories of your very first car? We can't wait to read your heart-warming stories and experiences in the comments below!
