Think you know where your new car comes from? Think again!

With the final Australian-built cars having sold last year, the local high-volume vehicle market has now officially shifted to full imports.

As expected, the bulk of the cars are coming from the likes of Japan, South Korea, Germany and Thailand – the latter thanks to our love affair to dual-cab utes like the Toyota HiLux, Ford Ranger and Mitsubishi Triton.

However, with countries such as South Africa, Poland, Hungary and Mexico also building vehicles, you might be surprised at exactly where some of your favourite cars actually come from.

Mercedes-Benz C-Class sedan – South Africa

The Mercedes-Benz C-Class is built in South Africa. Who would've thought?

Mercedes-Benz might be as German as sauerkraut and bratwurst, but its most popular model the C-Class sedan, is actually built and imported from South Africa for the Australian market. This includes the AMG-tuned C43, but the full-fat C63 comes from Germany. Of note, the coupe, wagon and convertible versions are also sourced from Germany.

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Honda Civic Type R – England

The Honda Civic Type R is built in in a facility in Swindon, England – though not for much longer.

Arguably the sharpest front-wheel driver in the world might wear a Japanese badge, but the Honda Civic Type R is actually built in in a facility in Swindon, England – though not for much longer. The Swindon plant will be shuttered in 2021, with production of the next-gen hot hatch shifting to an as-yet-undisclosed location. For reference, the standard Civic range is sourced from Thailand for the Australian market.

BMW X3 – United States

Built at the BMW's Spartanburg facility in Greer, South Carolina, the X3 is produced alongside the X1 and X2.

Much like Mercedes-Benz, you’d expect BMWs biggest seller to be of German origin like its brand, but the X3 mid-size luxury SUV is actually a yank. Built at the brand’s Spartanburg facility in Greer, South Carolina, the plant actually produces BMW’s entire high-riding line-up for Australia barring the X1 and X2.

Toyota Supra – Austria

All the Supra hallmarks are present and accounted for.

An easy one for car aficionados, the latest fifth-generation Toyota Supra is built on the same production line as its platform- and engine-sharing BMW Z4 cousin in Gratz, Austria. Despite this, the new Supra is still embraced by tuners and aftermarket suppliers in Japan, as evidenced by the bevy of bolt-on parts available.

Land Rover Defender – Slovakia

The new Land Rover Defender is built in a facility in Slovakia, which also produces the Discovery.

Two undeniably British icons – the Land Rover Defender and 007 himself – will be paired together for the latest James Bond movie, No Time to Die, due to hit theatres later this year. However, the new Land Rover Defender is actually built in a facility in Slovakia, which also produces the Discovery.

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Ford Escape – Spain

Ford’s mid-size Escape SUV comes from Valencia, Spain.

Ford’s mid-size Escape SUV actually comes to us by way of Valencia, Spain despites the nameplate’s American roots. This makes a little more sense when the Escape was known as the Kuga, a European moniker.

Hyundai i30 N – Czech Republic

Though the rest of the i30 range comes from South Korea for Australia, the i30 for Europe is also produced in the Czech facility.

Where would you build a South Korean hot hatch developed and honed at Germany’s infamous Nürburgring by the former boss of BMW M? The answer, of course, is the Czech Republic. Though the rest of the i30 range comes from South Korea for Australia, the i30 for Europe is also produced in the Czech facility.

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Porsche Cayenne – Slovakia

It has a sleek elegant body that curves downwards at the back. (image: Dean McCartney)

Did you know every single Porsche sold in Australia comes from Germany except for the Cayenne large SUV? Porsche’s popular Cayenne actually comes from Slovakia, where it is built at Volkswagen’s Bratislava plant alongside the Audi Q7 and Q8, and VW Touareg – all of which share the same MLB Evo platform. The diminutive VW Up hatchback is also produced there.

Volkswagen Amarok (excluding Highline and Ultimate) – Argentina

Only two vehicles are assembled at Volkswagen’s General Pacheco plant, the Amarok and with the Suran people mover/station wagon.

The VW Amarok bucks the trend of most dual-cab utes that are built in Thailand and is actually produced in Argentina in all forms barring the top-spec Highline and Ultimate grades.. In fact, only two vehicles are assembled at Volkswagen’s General Pacheco plant, with the Suran people mover/station wagon being the other.