Prime Minister Tony Abbott says he wants Toyota to continue manufacturing in Australia and has already been in touch with the company in the wake of Holden’s departure.

Mr Abbott says he spoke with Toyota Australia president and chief executive Max Yasuda on Wednesday night, after Holden announced it would cease manufacturing in Australia in 2017.

He says Toyota is different to Holden.

“Obviously the government will be talking to Toyota, we want Toyota to continue and they are in a slightly different position to Holden,” he told the Nine Network on Thursday.

“Much more of their local production has been for export, Toyota locally have been much more integrated into the global operations of the company, it seems, than with Holden.”

Mr Abbott said he did not want to play the blame game over Holden, but did not want to peddle false hope either.

“What we’re focussing on now is a strategic plan that builds on our country’s strengths,” he said.

“We have great strengths in many areas, including manufacturing, but it’s got to be manufacturing for the kind of profitable markets that we can make the most of.

“And that’s what the government’s going to be focussed on in the days and weeks ahead.”

The prime minister said Holden would look after its workers, but the government would ensure they were able to transition to another job.