Monash takes pole position as destination for carmakers

Published on 19 August 2021

The City of Monash is fast becoming the go-to destination for the head offices of automotive brands in Australia with six leading manufacturers now calling the area home.

BMW, Haval, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan and Renault have set up in world-class business parks in the Monash National Employment and Innovation Cluster, which is home to the largest concentration of technology, skills and employment outside Melbourne’s CBD.

In addition to the six automotive brands, other auto-focused businesses - Robert Bosch, MotorOne, the Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association and the Auto Innovation Centre - have also made Monash the location for their headquarters.

As part of an innovative industry, it’s no surprise these companies are choosing buildings with a five-star level of Green Star Design Rating.

Nissan’s new facility covers almost 12,000 square metres over five levels housing its marketing, sales and customer service departments, as well as showroom, training rooms, workshop, 550 parking bays and a ground-floor cafe.

Nissan Australia Managing Director Stephen Lester said after moving in late last year, he was already pleased with what the facility offered.

“We are delighted to relocate to new premises in Mulgrave, with modern facilities to support our staff and facilitate the training programs for our national dealer network,” Mr Lester said.

Mazda, Australia’s second-top-selling car brand, also runs its national and Victorian operations in a five-star, green-credentialed building. The venue includes a training centre that sees more than 750 Mazda dealer technicians pass through annually as they update their skills.

Mercedes-Benz - with its parent company Daimler, the inventor of the automobile - is at the forefront of one of the most exhilarating and intensely competitive industries in the world. Its Mulgrave head office is the importer and wholesaler for a range of vehicles, including their iconic passenger cars.

Monash has a culturally diverse community with educational and skill levels higher than the metropolitan average and, with its excellent central access, the area continues to be an attractive location for businesses to establish and grow. With a resident workforce of more than 87,000 and local businesses providing in excess of 121,000 jobs, Monash is an important provider of employment to the broader region.

Monash Council continues to encourage infrastructure and business investment to attract industry leaders and innovators to be part of the innovation cluster - a vibrant, thriving smart city of the future.