Australia has too many car brands

This will probably be an unpopular opinion, given The AutoExec's mainly Auto Industry audience. Or maybe some of you will agree, as long as it's not your brand on the chopping block.

Australia's automotive market is witnessing a significant influx of new car brands. Where once 55 brands fought for consumer dollars, now it's 65 and rising. Citroen's withdrawal this week may not be the last as brands with a tenuous foothold struggle for traction. But you can bet that, by the end of 2025, 65 brands will have become 70 as XPeng, Zeekr, Smart, Jaecoo, Leapmotor and others hit town.

What will it be in 2030? I reckon we will be back to 60-65, and while one or two of those casualties will be new Chinese brands, most of the withdrawals will be among today's incumbents. Here's why.