How Australia's auto industry fell apart. THE STOCKY SPEAKER in the blue suit spat venom across the aisle, wagged his finger at the opposition, and took full command of the podium. Cheering erupted from behind him. Booing thundered from the opposing side. His usual slick smile missing in action, he stared down the raucous, angry crowd that was Australia's Parliament. The current raging debate was whether to continue assisting the country's flailing auto industry. The government was tired of subsidizing Australian carmaking, which employed thousands but had always kept one foot out the door. Ford and Mitsubishi had already left; Nissan had been gone for decades. Imports comprised more and more of the market. Suppliers struggled even as the rest of the economy seemed to be humming along.
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