PRESS RELEASE
Melbourne, Australia | 11 September 2026 – Leading Australian automotive engineering and manufacturing firm Premcar turns 30 today.
The Melbourne-based company, famed for creating some of Australia’s most loved and memorable performance-enhanced new cars for major carmakers, has now powered into its third decade of internationally recognised new-vehicle engineering and secondary vehicle manufacturing.
“Today marks 30 years of Australian know-how delivering world-class cars,” said Bernie Quinn, CEO of Premcar.
“Since 1996, this Australian operation has been the go-to for carmakers looking to create exciting new cars for passionate customers.
“After 30 years, Premcar is busier than ever – and we have big future plans.”
Premcar started life in Australia as Tickford on 11 September 1996. It began producing special-edition cars for Ford in Australia, namely performance-enhanced versions of the AU model series Ford Falcon along with re-engineered, right-hand drive-converted Ford Mustangs.
The company later changed its name to Prodrive Automotive Technologies when Prodrive acquired Tickford overseas. Shortly after, the company established Ford Performance Vehicles (FPV) in a joint venture with Ford Australia, creating a stable of high-performance models still sought by fans and collectors today.
In 2012, the company became Premcar following a management buyout. Since then, owners Bernie Quinn and Jim Jovanovski have grown the Australian company to become a go-to for global carmakers looking to create desirable high-performance and niche models through its highly developed new-car engineering and enhancement programs.
Along the way, Premcar has applied its new-vehicle development skills to other major automakers from Japan, the USA, China and Europe.
Today, Premcar is known for two of its publicly visible OEM new-car programs, Nissan’s Warrior by Premcar model range and Mitsubishi’s Triton Raider in Australia.
Premcar’s body of work comprises more than 200,000 new vehicles and more than 55,000 performance engines since beginning local operations under the Tickford name in 1996.
Among Premcar’s greatest hits are:
- 2014 FPV GTF launched with Premcar powertrain engineering
- 2015 helicopter development program for a major Japanese OEM
- 2016 Ford Sprint XR8 and XR6T launch showcasing Premcar’s world class powertrain engineering
- 2018 High-performance Premcar Holy Grail package released for final-build Ford Falcons
- 2018 First engagement with Nissan to develop Navara WARRIOR by Premcar
- 2019 Opening of Premcar manufacturing and engineering centre of excellence in Epping
- 2019 Launch of the Nissan Navara N-Trek WARRIOR by Premcar
- 2020 Premcar co-develops EV platform for a large Chinese OEM
- 2021 Launch of Nissan Navara PRO-4X WARRIOR by Premcar
- 2022 Launch of Nissan Navara SL WARRIOR by Premcar
- 2023 Premcar launches Bronco restomod at Monterey Car Week
- 2023 Premcar launches Nissan Patrol WARRIOR by Premcar
- 2023 Premcar opens second engineering and manufacturing facility in Epping
- 2024 Premcar builds its 10,000th WARRIOR
- 2025 Premcar wins SAE-A Australia – “Leader in Innovation – Overall” Award
- 2026 Launch of Mitsubishi Triton Raider
“Much more is planned and already underway,” said Bernie Quinn.
About Premcar:
Premcar Pty Ltd is a leading Australian vehicle engineering business that specialises in the automotive, defence and aerospace industries. For 30 years, global car-makers have made Premcar their go-to partner for the complete design, engineering and manufacture of niche-model new cars, full-scale new-vehicle development programs, and electric vehicle (EV) conversions and manufacturing. Premcar’s body of work is extensive. It is the name behind more than 200,000 new cars and 55,000 new-vehicle engines. The company has delivered technical advancements and sales success for major car brands from Europe, the USA, Japan, China and Australia. Visit premcar.au.


