State of the art Australian manufacturing facility announced! Ram 1500, Chevrolet Silverado and Toyota Tundra conversion specialist to move all operations under one roof

Walkinshaw has announced its plans to deliver a “state of the art” 100,000 square metre production, engineering and office facility in Dandenong by the end of 2025. 

The new premises will consolidate Walkinshaw’s activities, including local conversions, performance, Supercars racing team and more under one roof and provide a boost to the swelling local remanufacturing industry.

The company was known for fettling Holdens but Walkinshaw Automotive has turned its energy to emerging market segments, converting the Ram 1500 and Chevrolet Silverado to right-hand-drive.

Other new car projects include the performance arm, which most recently transformed first-generation Amaroks into various on- and off-road special editions.

Walkinshaw’s new facility in Dandenong is in a new-build industrial area. It is crucial to the company’s carbon neutrality, with solar panels and a commercial rail link helping lower emissions.

On site, there will be custom-built warehousing, office spaces, a hardstand and 700 on-site car parking spaces. The facility is being built in conjunction with property group Salta.

“Today is a very significant day for the Walkinshaw Automotive Group, and our ongoing commitment to the Australian manufacturing and engineering industries long-term here in Australia,” said Group Director and CEO Ryan Walkinshaw.

He listed the advantages of bringing all operations under one roof and reiterated the security and privacy that will be provided to carmakers.

Ram 1500 Big Horn (image: Byron Mathioudakis)

“The consolidation of our manufacturing and engineering facilities will also help make us more competitive on a global scale by improving efficiencies and investing in the latest Technologies,” said Mr Walkinshaw.

The group produces a total of 12,000 units per year split across multiple brands. That is a comparable figure to Volvo’s yearly sales in Australia. Over 1200 people are employed across the group.

Like Premcar and RMA Automotive, Walkinshaw’s main public-facing business in Australia is converting full-size American utes.

The company has so far produced 300 right-hand drive Toyota Tundras in a trial program that, if successful, is likely to drum up even more business for Walkinshaw.