The Australian Automotive Dealer Association (AADA), which represents new car dealers, has called for a pause on more car brands entering the Australian market. It warns that the rapid growth in brands is hurting dealers and could leave buyers facing lower resale values, slower parts supply and orphaned cars. This is a request from an industry group. No government has agreed to pause new brands, and brands that meet Australian safety and design rules can still enter the market.
What the AADA said
In a media release on 5 November 2026, the AADA said Australia’s new car retail industry “has reached a crisis point”.
AADA chief executive James Voortman said: “There are simply too many manufacturers operating in this market and we need a pause on further car brands entering this market.”
The association says the number of brands in Australia has grown from 39 in 2021 to 67 in 2026. It is calling for “urgent action from governments, vehicle manufacturers and suppliers”.
Voortman said the September quarter delivered the industry’s first negative quarterly profitability result since the global financial crisis.
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Illustrative model choice in the Australian market; no position on the AADA request is implied.
A pause, not a ban
Speaking on ABC Radio Perth, Voortman said the association was not asking for a permanent halt. “We’re just calling for a pause until we’ve put in place the required policies and obligations to allow brands to come into this market in a gradual way,” he said.
CarExpert reports that the pause is one of 10 recommendations from the AADA. Others include faster unfair trading protections and changes to how car makers set sales targets for dealers.
What the AADA says it means for buyers
The AADA argues that unrestricted brand growth is causing three problems for consumers:
Faster depreciation. It says heavy discounting to clear stock “devalues vehicles”.
Parts and repair delays. It warns of “a lag in parts supply with longer repair times”.
Orphaned vehicles. It says owners can be left without support “as brands disappear”.
These are the dealer body’s claims, and its release does not put figures on resale or repair times. The risks are worth checking for any car, whichever brand you buy.
How to protect yourself when buying a newer brand
Ask the dealer how parts are supplied in Australia and how long common repairs take.
Check how many service centres the brand has near you, not just where you buy.
Look at used listings for the same model to see how prices are holding up.
Read the warranty terms, including what happens if the importer or dealer changes.
Buying from a business also gives you rights under the Australian Consumer Law, including remedies for faults, regardless of the brand.
Will anything change
Not yet. The AADA is lobbying governments, car makers and suppliers, and any change to how new brands enter Australia would need government action. For now, new brands keep arriving. Recent examples include Chery’s Exlantix premium brand and Changan’s Nevo brand.