[sc_rufctr]

We're Metric in Aus but I still use foot pounds for torque. Newton meters works it's but not as easy as foot pounds.
I also use imperial measurements when rebuilding an engine. IMO opinion it's more precise and generally easier.

And it's very common to get tools kits here with a combination of both imperial and metric tools in the same kit.

There really isn't a "better" system.

The change happened in Aus in the early 70s. I remember a Government official demonstrating it at our school and I was only 5 or 6.