Queensland State Archives posted a photo:
Australian Volkswagens
Australia was one of the few countries outside Germany where Volkswagens were locally manufactured. Australian-sold VWs in the 1950s and 1960s were made in Melbourne, and there are numerous differences between our VWs and the American/UK/Euro versions.
Volkswagens were first imported to Australia in late 1953 and went on official sale in early 1954. These earliest cars were fully imported. The Federal Government of the time offered tax concessions on locally-made cars, so from June 1954 Volkswagen Australia began importing German CKD (‘Completely Knocked Down’) kits and assembling them in Melbourne.
After a short while basic Australian-made components such as batteries, tyres and glass were substituted, and through the late 1950s this was gradually expanded to locally made paints and glues; nuts, bolts and fasteners; rubber, cloth and trim, and electrical components. By 1956 the Australian-assembled VW was already more than 50% Australian made.
Description source:
Club VeeDub
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