Best aircon I've ever experienced in a car was September last year when I drove a 1994 Volkswagen Golf MkIII hatch from Toowoomba to Melbourne. A 21 year old car with 230,000+ km on the clock had the iciest aircon of anything I've been in, except for maybe the fridge at Dan Murphy's on a hot summer day when I'm topping up our drinks fridge.
As for headlights, I think you must be blind! As someone that has owned two VTs, a VX, three VEs and two VE IIs, I can safely say factory headlights are ****! One of the first things I always did was upgrade to some decent Phillips globes. Then they were fine, especially the projectors. But they ALL pale into insignificance on low and high beam when it comes to HID (not HED) lights. Factory spec Euro and even American HID lights out-shine even the best halogen and HID after market driving lights - a bloke from ARB told me when I was ording a bullbar and driving light combo to not bother with anything other than LED once he knew the HIDs I had.
Granted, all the issues you've mentioned about Euro and Asian imports not being up to scratch for the Australian climate and conditions were absolutely true in the 80s, 90s and even into the 2000's. But over the past 5 years, anything from Europe or Asia is FAR superior to anything made in Australia. Kia is the best example that comes to mind. Brilliant cars - and to come such a long way in a short period of time too. 7 year, unlimited km warranty ffs! Guess who was at the top of most warranty issues (and serious warranty issues at that) recently, yup - HOLDEN!
Don't get me wrong. Holdens have been good for decades. But the fact is their product just can't cut it in the industry today. The industry standard moved too fast and the Australian manufacturers simply didn't keep up.
I seriously doubt that the imported replacements will prove to be as well suited to our conditions unless there is substantial local engineering and design input.
Good statement, and I agree. But you need to not think of it in terms of "replacements" and start to think of it in terms of "alternatives". I seriously doubt that imported alternatives will have any issues with out conditions. There is significant investment in testing and development in Australia from a lot of foreign manufacturers these days.