Toyota set to be auto industry focus TOYOTA'S future as Australia's sole car producer has been thrown into doubt with a court knocking back the company's bid to put a new wage deal to workers. The Federal Court has banned the company from holding a vote on Friday as part of its efforts to slash costs at its Altona operations in Melbourne. The decision came as Toyota emerged as the focus of state and federal government efforts to maintain the nation's remaining auto manufacturing sector. Toyota President Max Yasuda said the company was disappointed by the ruling, particularly in light of Holden's decision to stop local production in 2017. "It is now more important than ever before that we make urgent changes," he said. A decision will be made next year on the next generation Camry and export program and we need to take urgent action if we want to stay at the negotiating table for future investments. The company is doing everything that it can to secure the future for our employees and their families. Prime Minister Tony Abbott and Victorian Premier Denis Napthine have both pledged to work with Toyota to ensure the wider industry remains viable. "I deeply regret for the last three months we haven't been able to hold Holden," Mr Abbott told reporters in Canberra on Thursday. The challenge now is to ensure, as far as we reasonably can, that Toyota stays and that is what we are working on. Mr Abbott has already spoken with Mr Yasuda and the two are expected to have more talks in the weeks and months ahead. Toyota has declined to comment on what Mr Yasuda told the PM or to offer any reaction to the efforts to have it continue as a producer. It says it will do its talking directly with those involved, although it admits there is now unprecedented pressure on the local supplier network and its own ability to build cars in Australia. "We will now work with our suppliers, key stakeholders and the government to determine our next steps and whether we can continue operating as the sole vehicle manufacturer in Australia," the company said. Unlike Holden, Toyota has been less impacted by a declining demand for locally built cars because about 70 per cent of its production is exported. But it remains at the mercy of the high dollar while its greater use of locally sourced components means it could be hit harder by any collapse in the component sector. The company recently revealed it needs to reduce the cost of building each car in Australia by $3800 by 2018 with the new enterprise agreement for its 2500 workers at Altona part of that exercise. Premier Napthine said Toyota faced challenging times but his government was willing to support the company and the component sector with direct financial assistance.