Legacy Rob Hill Peter Hill

The Founder’s – Story Peter Hill & The Legacy of Autogroup International

For more than three decades, Autogroup International has been setting the standard for right-hand drive conversions of American pickup trucks, muscle cars, SUVs, and electric vehicles. From a modest workshop in Melbourne to becoming the world’s most trusted name in the right-hand drive conversion industry, our journey is one of vision, persistence, and family-driven leadership. At our core, we remain proudly 100% Australian and family-owned, with a reputation built on engineering precision, legal compliance, and customer trust.

Autogroup Internation Staff

A Vision Begins with Peter Hill

The story begins in 1993, when Australian automotive pioneer Peter Hill identified a growing demand among Australian motoring enthusiasts for American-made vehicles—particularly pickup trucks and muscle cars. The challenge? These vehicles were only available in left-hand drive, making them illegal for road use in Australia.

Determined to solve this, Peter travelled to the United States, purchased a 1993 GMC Sierra pickup truck, and personally shipped it back to Australia. Working from a small garage in Melbourne, he successfully converted the vehicle to right-hand drive using custom-engineered components and meticulous craftsmanship. It passed all legal compliance checks, and Peter became the first to legally register a converted GMC Sierra pickup truck for Australian roads.

This milestone marked the birth of Autogroup International. From that moment forward, Peter committed to building a business that delivered safe, factory-grade right-hand drive conversions that met Australian Design Rules (ADR) and international homologation standards.

Rapid Growth and National Recognition

Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, Autogroup International experienced steady growth. Peter and his team developed engineering expertise across a wide range of American vehicles including the Chevrolet Silverado, Ford F-Series, Dodge Ram, Chevrolet Camaros and GMC Yukon. The company earned a loyal customer base across Australia, built on a foundation of precision engineering, full compliance, and personalised service.

By the early 2000s, Autogroup International had converted hundreds of vehicles, invested in new manufacturing equipment, and employed a growing team of Australian engineers, technicians, and support staff.

Old Workshop Autogroup

Expanding Operations into Sri Lanka – A Strategic Investment in Sri Lanka’s Economy

In 2003, Peter made a bold strategic move. Recognising the increasing demand for high-quality, right-hand drive conversions—and the opportunity to create a specialised, scalable production facility—he established Autogroup International’s advanced conversion centre in Sri Lanka.

This move was not about replacing the Australian operation but expanding the company’s capability, combining Australian engineering leadership with world-class production efficiencies. Autogroup International entered Sri Lanka as a Board of Investment (BOI)-approved foreign investor, marking a significant strategic investment in the region. The operation has since generated hundreds of skilled jobs, supported economic development, and injected millions of U.S. dollars into the Sri Lankan economy, while upholding the highest standards of training, technology transfer, and industrial excellence. The new facility allowed Autogroup to increase output while maintaining strict quality control, legal compliance, and the brand’s signature craftsmanship. Meanwhile, the Melbourne facility continued to grow, focusing on client servicing, R&D, and supporting local sales and vehicle deliveries.

Today, the Sri Lankan facility spans over 70,000 square feet, houses hundreds of highly trained specialists, and is equipped with the latest in CAD design, automotive component manufacturing, CNC machining, and vehicle testing infrastructure. Every vehicle undergoes stringent quality assurance before shipping.

Second Decade Limos
Second Decade Staff
Second Decade Workshop

A Multi-Continent Footprint

From its Australian roots, Autogroup International has expanded its operational footprint with teams and partnerships across Sri Lanka, Australia, North America, and the UK. We have delivered over 5,000+ right-hand drive vehicles to clients in 40+ countries, including Australia, Zimbabwe, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Cyprus, the UK, South Africa, and Kenya.
Each vehicle is engineered to comply with regional standards such as ADR, UK IVA, and international homologation, ensuring road legality and resale value. Our ISO 9001:2015 quality certification underpins every vehicle we build. Critically every vehicle is backed by our ‘full vehicle’ factory backed warranty.

Engineering Excellence & Innovation

Autogroup International stands at the cutting edge of the right-hand drive conversion industry. We’ve consistently led the way in adopting and developing:

With all component design completed in-house, and with the vast majority of components also manufactured in-house helps to ensure quality, conformity of production and ultimately customer safety. We take pride in undertaking some of the most complex RHD conversions in the world, including the Ford F-150 Lightning, GMC Hummer EV SUV, Toyota Tundra Hybrid, and bespoke builds such as the GMC Denali Black Widow and Ford F-450 Super Duty Limited.

3D printing Center
The Welding Center
The QC Process

Generational Leadership Rob Hill Takes the Wheel

In 2022, the next chapter began as Rob Hill, Peter’s son, officially took over as Group CEO and Co-Chairman. Having worked across all levels of the business, Rob brought a fresh strategic vision while continuing the legacy of trust, innovation, and family ownership.

Under Rob’s leadership, Autogroup International has:

Rob’s focus on design excellence, client service, and market expansion has further cemented Autogroup’s status as the most trusted name in right-hand drive engineering.

Full Variation Collection

Investing in People & Communities

Autogroup International’s strength lies in its people. We employ over 250 engineers, technicians, and support staff, many of whom have been with us for over 15 years. Through our Team Legends program, ongoing training, and graduate engineering schemes, we’re building a sustainable workforce with long-term expertise.

We also give back to the communities we operate in, supporting local schools, aged care homes, families, and orphanages through donations and volunteer support. Built for the Future With:

  • Over 5,000 right-hand drive vehicles converted
  • Delivery to 40+ countries
  • Compliance with ADR, IVA, and international homologation
  • A workforce of over 250+ people
  • A legacy of family ownership and trust

Autogroup International remains the world’s most respected and trusted right-hand drive conversion specialist. Whether you’re seeking a factory-spec RHD truck, a luxury VIP SUV, or the latest EV in right-hand drive, we offer complete solutions from sourcing to shipping—with full compliance and warranty.