Michael Devereux

Recent Speaker

President of the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries

December 7, 2011

11.30am - 1.30pm

"Make it in Australia – why car manufacturing matters"

The Australian automotive industry employs around 60,000 people directly, invested $4.5 billion in R&D over the past four years and is one of Australia’s most valuable non-mining export sectors.

But with significant uncertainty around government policy settings, Free Trade Agreements that have not delivered reciprocal market access, historically high currency exchange rates, increasing competition in the domestic market and a depressed global market: what is the outlook for automotive manufacturing in Australia?

Mike Devereux, President of the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries and Chairman and Managing Director of GM Holden, will explain why it is so important that Australia remains one of just 13 countries in the world that can design, engineer and manufacture motor vehicles.

Australia is looked upon enviously by other developed and developing economies due to the capacity that exists in the Australian automotive industry. Benefits to the economy from the existence of an automotive manufacturing industry include scale jobs and skills, engineering and management skills that deliver spill over benefits for other industry sectors, technology transfer, exports and substantial foreign investment.

Mike began his career with General Motors in 1984 as an engineering co-op student at GM Canada’s St Catharines Engine and Foundry Complex in Ontario.

He assumed the position of Chairman and Managing Director of GM Holden in March 2010, having previously served as President and Managing Director of General Motors’ Middle East operations in Dubai.

Mike holds a Bachelor of Science degree in industrial engineering from the GMI Engineering & Management Institute and a Master’s degree in business administration from Harvard University.