"While the Australian Labor Party is complaining about progress on trade liberalisation for the automotive industry, both the Federal Government and the industry are getting on with the job of building strong export markets for Australian cars - something Labor couldn't achieve in 13 years in Government," Trade Minister Mark Vaile said today. Mr Vaile has announced that Australia's automotive exports increased by 9% this year, to a record $2.77-billion. "All this, in spite of the economic downturn in East Asia," Mr Vaile said. "Australia's motor vehicle industry have shown that they are quite entrepreneurial in their activities in exporting to new markets." "The Middle-East Market now accounts for $560-million of Australian automotive exports - especially Toyota Camrys and Holden Commodores." Mr Vaile highlighted the massive 2,500% increase in sales to Argentina since Holden commenced shipping there. "This market, in one year, has become a $50-million market." "Unlike the previous Labor Government who neglected the export potential of the industry, we have put in place a $20-million market access & development strategy to open up new export markets for the Australian motor vehicle industry," Mr Vaile said. "The record success of our motor vehicle exports is proof that the Government is delivering the economic fundamentals for producing in Australia, and the market access, for selling in world markets - the facts and figures speak louder than the limp words of former Ministers who did not deliver," he added.
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