It’s been more than 50 years since Austin cars were last sold in Australia, and almost 40 years since the brand was phased out and replaced by Rover in the UK, but the legendary brand is now being reborn in its home market.
Originally founded in December 1905, Austin produced a run of famous and influential models including the Austin 7, the Austin-Healey 3000, the Austin A30/A35, and the Austin Mini.
Despite its significance in UK and global automotive history, the brand was killed off in 1987 following a series of mergers and restructurings of British car companies, with the last Metro, Maestro, and Montego cars sold under the auspices of Rover.
The brand’s assets and trademarks eventually ended up with Chinese firm SAIC Motor after the MG Rover Group went broke in 2025, but in 2015 the Austin name and trademarks were purchased by a new company aiming to build modern, electric vehicles.
That new entity, Austin Motor Company Limited, is now breathing new life into the Austin legacy, rekindling the spirit of innovation and accessibility that defined the original marque.
In July 2025, Austin made splash with the soft launch of the new Austin Arrow, the first car from Austin’s new Heritage range.
The Arrow is described as paying homage to the original Austin Seven from 1922, which was developed by the likes of Bruce McLaren and Colin Chapman into one of the most accomplished sports and race cars ever made.
The manufacturer says the Arrow combines classic Austin charm with contemporary engineering and design and aims to attract both nostalgic customers who remember the brand’s rich history and new buyers seeking value and performance.
Measuring just 3.7m long by 1.4m wide and 1.2m tall, the Arrow rides on a compact 2.4m wheelbase and weighs a spritely 605kg, of which the car constitutes 445kg and the battery pack 160kg.
Power output from the single electric motor is a modest 15kW, but the Arrow’s light weight ensures respectable 0-100km/h acceleration of 7.8 seconds and a top-speed of 100km/h. Range from the 20kWh lithium-ion battery is 160km.
The Austin Motor Company claims to have an exciting lineup of product launches planned beyond the Arrow, and is promising to introduce a diverse range of vehicles that cater to various segments of the market.
A statement from the company says: “With a clear vision for the future, Austin Motor Company Limited is not just about reviving a name; it’s about reimagining what the Austin brand can represent in the 21st century – exciting, fun, affordable, reliable, and stylish vehicles that resonate with a new generation of Austin drivers.”
