No more Aussie Ute??

[Cabbage]

Article in today's telegraph states that Holden will stop making the ute in three years time. Holden wouldn't officially comment but the story comes from an "insider". What's next no more meat pies? If true this is bad, the SS ute is a real nice vehicle would be a terrible shame to see it lost. I still think that if they sold the Ford and Holden utes in the US they would be a big success. There is already brand recognition with the El Camino and Ranchero, would need a bit of will and some marketing.

Just sad really.

[nstg8a]

That's a. Shame... I'd love a ve maloo in black.

But really there will be no local made cars soon anyway, enjoy them while you can.

[Franco Cozzo]

Maybe they will look at Silverado/Sierra?

[zilo]

For those people who actually want a ute for the purposes that it was originally intended for it will merely be a shrug of the shoulders.

A 6 litre ute? What possible payload did they think needed that sort of power?

Give me a diesel 4x4 Triton for the farm anyday over an overpowered drifting show pony.

[AndyXR6T]

Originally Posted by zilo

For those people who actually want a ute for the purposes that it was originally intended for it will merely be a shrug of the shoulders.

A 6 litre ute? What possible payload did they think needed that sort of power?

Give me a diesel 4x4 Triton for the farm anyday over an overpowered drifting show pony.

I think there's a fair line between people wanting a full blown work ute for everyday duties and for people who want to have a car that stands out aswell as being able to occasionally throw some gear in the back.

[Express]

Originally Posted by Cabbage

I still think that if they sold the Ford and Holden utes in the US they would be a big success.

Just sad really.

A friend of mine was at my place last weekend and he had a fellow with him from the US who is doing a few months work at his company.
When he saw my Ute he said he’d seen them all over the place, asked a bit about it and took some photos inside and out.

He said his wife has a SUV and he drives a Hilux.
He said he doesn’t need a monstrous truck to get around in and the size of the Hilux is the best alternative to one but given the chance he'd love to have something like an Aussie Ute as it would be the perfect size for him and the fact it drives like a car would make it all that much better.

So I don’t know if there is a real market for them over there but there is one person that would purchase one if given the chance.

Without knowing if they’ve done any market research, another missed export opportunity by Ford and Holden, maybe?




If true, I’ll be sad to see the Ute disappear here.

I’ve been driving them for 30 years and not once have I ever considered a Toyota (or any brand like that) to be a suitable replacement when all I use mine for is to throw the dog in the back and the weekend gardening supplies.

And because it drives like a car and has good performance it’s also my daily and I can take it on a road trip and it does it in great comfort.


.

[jpd80]

I'd say that not making a Ute in three years time is the least of Holden's concerns at the moment....

[Jason[98.EL]]

Originally Posted by jpd80

I'd say that not making a Ute in three years time is the least of Holden's concerns at the moment....

Agreed on that one with the ceo going it is not looking good for holden at all

[351@GT]

i thought irrespective of the current woes. commodore and its derivitives were finished in 2016 same as the falcon?? it was just that potentially the plant would continue to manufacture till 2022?

[smoo]

Originally Posted by zilo

Give me a diesel 4x4 Triton for the farm anyday over an overpowered drifting show pony.

A bit of irony right there considering that at a guess 90% of these 4wd utes ARE show ponies. They are the SUV of this decade.

[UberKnee]

It'll be a shame when that day comes. Commodore and Falcon sedans are easily replaced but XR and SS Utes are a market all to themselves. If you're looking for a nice powerful car that you can have some fun in and still use as a workhorse they're the only option.

Would love to see GM or Ford sell F-Truck/Silverado/Duramax here as a replacement.

[monzie]

The up-spec utes are now the current day version of the old 2 seater sports car.

Pete

[Bucknaked]

Even for the limited use I have for my ute, the tray size on most dual cabs cannot compare to the Falcon or Commodore and theres nothing better than fitting everything in and doing 1 trip, than having to make 2 trips due to the wheel barrow sized capacity of your modern dual cabs.

SS and Xr utes are sports utilities. Some people actually buy utes for play and not work.

[Davehoos]

ute show pony is more of a second family car. or a replacement sports car.

very few can actually carry any load. the nieghbours that have these use them as business billboards.

the tax man --the indication is that it will get harder and the market for new show pony will die. work has replaced falcon R6 gas utes with D-max high spec crew cabs.

sales reps often drop in with their new car. the companies wanted diesel mondeo wagon, but you cant tow the boat or caravan. some have gone with ladder chasis utes and tandem axle trailers--you cant claim the twin cab 4X4 but you need it to tow the 3.5 ton sales rep trailer--or the boat on weekends.

mum just replaced 1999 2.8 rodeo with 4X2 triton bucket seat diesel just great.
no blue tooth, silly electronics,basic servicing.they didn't even offer chrome.

[4stanger]

Originally Posted by AndyXR6T

I think there's a fair line between people wanting a full blown work ute for everyday duties and for people who want to have a car that stands out aswell as being able to occasionally throw some gear in the back.

Problem solved come 2016.
Ford Mustang + Tow Bar + Box Trailer

[P6LTD351]

Originally Posted by jpd80

I'd say that not making a Ute in three years time is the least of Holden's concerns at the moment....

You took the words right out of my mouth.

There won't be ANY Australian manufactured Holdens in 3 years time, let alone a ute.

[My poor XF]

Originally Posted by Bucknaked

SS and Xr utes are sports utilities. Some people actually buy utes for play and not work.

That's me, my ute won't even get a tow bar.

[Itsme]

Originally Posted by smoo

A bit of irony right there considering that at a guess 90% of these 4wd utes ARE show ponies. They are the SUV of this decade.

Show ponies could be for any vehicle that is manufactured.

I got rid of my Fg ute as it was not suitable for my needs, the Ranger gives me more durability.

Changing times, sales talk of what is viable these days, the humble aussie ute is history.

[mik]

It is a sign of the times, as long as floods of cheap imports keep coming in decimating our manufacturing, all those Australian built items we have taken for granted for decades will gradually fall by the way side.

[fte50]

I imagine the ute will continue to exist for as long as its platform does.

[Brute 33]

I will only ever have FORD utes....period, they are still a leaf spring rear end and I use them for my business and pleasure....everything from a wedding to going to the tip...they suit my driving style and in 30 + years of driving I am about to purchase another one that will be number 8 and with my eldest son we are also restoring slowly a 1970 Ranchero 500 ....so a FORD Ute is all I want....I don't want to drive a truck...

[AndyXR6T]

Originally Posted by Arnaldo

Problem solved come 2016.
Ford Mustang + Tow Bar + Box Trailer

Practical to an extent but would you drive it like that on a daily basis? Would you be happy to duck down to the shops to buy some milk with the stang and box trailer or rather take the maloo with a few chairs from the weekend party still in the back?

[BadMax]

Originally Posted by zilo

Give me a diesel 4x4 Triton for the farm anyday over an overpowered drifting show pony.

But I don't want to drive an ill handling, poor performing rage inducing 4wd truck in the suburbs. But the tax man insists I have to drive a ute, so a Falcon or Commodore it is. I want to drive a car, not a truck!

[FGII-XR6]

Maybe but making a car is a profit driven business and 80% of those wanting a show pony ute not a real work ute are looking to buy second hand. the market for these vehicles isn't big and sheer economics say that in a small market like ours it is a no go.

Originally Posted by AndyXR6T

I think there's a fair line between people wanting a full blown work ute for everyday duties and for people who want to have a car that stands out aswell as being able to occasionally throw some gear in the back.

[H.G]

Refer to smoo's post #10

[mechanic]

Since starting as an apprentice mechanic in '66 and driving practically every type of ute on the Australian market I agree 100% with Bad Max.
After owning a few 2WD and 4wd utes I'm in the process of getting a BF Mk11 RTV, I can't spend any more of my life driving something that handles like a bucket of water, takes an age to get off the mark and makes a noise like a chaffcutter.
All the 4WD/SUV utes have their followers and good luck to them, now I want something that drives something like a car should, with power and room to do the odd job.
Most utes these days are a dual purpose school kid ferry/ dump run/ weekend camping conveyance.
I never thought I'd see the day when the big 3 car manufacturers [ FORD, Chrysler and GMH ] would be gone from Australia. It's very sad to be confronted with a tide of vehicles flooding our country that at best have a 5 year life span.

[zilo]

Originally Posted by BadMax

But I don't want to drive an ill handling, poor performing rage inducing 4wd truck in the suburbs.
But the tax man insists I have to drive a ute, so a Falcon or Commodore it is. I want to drive a car, not a truck!

I'm curious...

What job does one need to do to have the tax man tell him he must drive a ute?

[FGII-XR6]

most trades you would only be able to justify a ute ( or van) as a tax write off

Originally Posted by zilo

I'm curious...

What job does one need to do to have the tax man tell him he must drive a ute?

[eyes87]

I'm guessing the tax man tells him this to take advantage of no fringe benefits tax

[Danny]

I'm surprised that people are surprised, I mean, It is well documented that the next gen Commodore will not be a RWD Aus only car, so as far as I can tell it was obvious that with the end of the Zeta platform was the end of the utes and RWD.