As with many other nations, the passenger motor vehicle industry has long been central to the economic health of Australia. In addition, the purchase of a motor vehicle is a commitment of considerable magnitude to most consumers. As
a result, the passenger motor vehicle industry has attracted the attention an interest of a wide and diverse range of groups who have brought to bear a multitude of often-conflicting concerns and interests. Nowhere has this been more apparent that in the development and execution of industry policy. This thesis examines the development and application of Australian passenger motor vehicle industry policy from the turn of the twentieth century until the mid-1990s.