The AMWU is calling on governments around Australia to buy more locally made cars in order to support the manufacturing sector.
AAP reports Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union national secretary Paul Bastian said the number of local cars in government fleets had dropped significantly over the last decade.
Bastian said ten years ago 66 per cent of the cars in government fleets were Australian made, but now the number levelled at close to 33 per cent.
“Governments need to take the lead and support the local car industry,” he said.
At a union delegate meeting today Bastian also called on Canberra to ensure the next phase of defence products, including ships and submarines, were built in Australia.
The Federal Government has previously flagged building12 new submarines, but plans to rebuild the existing Collins-class fleet with Japanese technology are also being considered.
If the Japanese deal goes ahead it could delay plans to build the new submarines.