Toyota, Mitsubishi car transporters sit idle for second week due to pay dispute

Buyers of new Toyota, Mitsubishi, Haval, and GWM vehicles in Victoria and Queensland may have to wait a little longer to receive their vehicles.

Truck drivers contracted by company Autocare to deliver new cars from sea ports to new-car dealerships across the country are refusing to drive over an ongoing pay dispute lasting nine months.

The Transport Workers Union (TWU) says the owner-drivers are seeking a rate increase from $1.70 per kilometre to $1.94/km to cover wages and increased costs – including higher fuel prices.

The TWU says Autocare has proposed a rate cut to $1.65/km.

It’s understood more than 100 truck drivers have stopped work in Melbourne and Brisbane, with the number of brand-new cars parked at Autocare’s depots continuing to grow.

“TWU is calling on Toyota, Mitsubishi, Haval and Great Wall to stop using Autocare until it properly pays drivers in this vital link of the supply chain,” a spokesperson for the union said.

“Trucking is Australia’s deadliest industry, with on average 180 deaths a year, because wealthy clients at the top of supply chains are financially squeezing transport contracts.”

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In a statement issued to WhichCar, Autocare said the company “has been openly and transparently negotiating the terms and conditions of a proposed new road transport subcontract with a number of its road transport subcontractors.

“Autocare acknowledges that there are some outstanding issues to be resolved and continues in its genuine attempt to resolve these matters with the relevant parties.”

WhichCar has contacted multiple car companies believed to be affected by the action, but has not received a response at the time of publication.