No more Aussie Ute??

[Davehoos]

lots of jobs have a prescribed vehicles that you can claim-- running cost, fuel rebates ,road tax and purchase cost. salary sacrifice arrangements. government grants.


You cant buy a Lexus for the lawn mower crew with local government ,even if you can tow the mower crew trailer and resell at a profit.

I cant get a car via tax/salary offsets, but if I need to I can drive home a truck for free.

[Kable72]

Can tell you I bought my ute to stand out from the sedans. Everyone loves a good looking ute.

[Gadgetman]

Very sad.

[aussie muscle]

Originally Posted by AndyXR6T

for people who want to have a car that stands out aswell as being able to occasionally throw some gear in the back.

that's pretty much what i wanted when i bought my xr8 ute. i could have used a sedan, but i never carry passengers and need to move the odd bit of furniture. ute is much more useful than a sedan.

[steve.zissou]

I Spen alot of time in the US and every one over there wants a SS ute. When i showdd them my xr6 turbo they were blown away. They would smash it over there with utes. But I was told that the pickup segment is the most profitable for most car companies (F150 is the most profitable vehical sold in the US) so maybe they dont want to mess with that.

And those that say real tradies get a ranger or hilux - they are the biggest POS out there. the insides are atleast 10 or more years out of date. they are slower than a 2 legged dog and handle like crap. And worse their payload is bugger all more than a falcon ute or holden commodore.

I think the resale on 2nd hand utes will go through the roof. Like the F150's that are worth more now than when they were sold new 7 years ago.

[zilo]

We got rid of our ute and bought a Mercedes Vito turbo diesel van.

Superb solution to carrying goods in any weather cheaper than an SS ute and much better resale value.

Takes two pallets easily or a mattress in the back for camping.

[PepeLePew]

For me this ranks with the end of the Falcon as a landmark in Australian car culture. No matter what your choice in good carrying vehicle, or brand preference, our automotive landscape is going to look a helluva lot different to our kids than it is to us. If that's good or bad I don't really know until it's fully panned out. All I know is a little of what it is to be 'Australian' is walking out the door, again.

Just one aside, I have a ute now in my drive, and I also have PX Ranger. I alternate between the two and I seriously can see the place for both. The Ranger is a helluva lot better than the ute camp claim. It's a very liveable place day to day, goes harder than you may think, handles pretty damn well for a offroad capable vehicle, and can carry 5. And the new interior is far from 1970's though a generation behind the FG. If you need a big tray, supercab or the directly comparable single is offered.

That said, it's isnt chuckable in the way the sedan crossover ute is (she feels nervous on corner entry but remarkably composed for what it is once you're in there), and if you're into outright straightline grunt, apply elsewhere, your rubber is reasonably safe.

On the blue side, does anyone have confirmation there IS a 'FH' ute?

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by steve.zissou

I Spen alot of time in the US and every one over there wants a SS ute. When i showdd them my xr6 turbo they were blown away. They would smash it over there with utes. But I was told that the pickup segment is the most profitable for most car companies (F150 is the most profitable vehical sold in the US) so maybe they dont want to mess with that.

I read an article posted on the Ford internal website from one of the US business publications about that, and their estimation was that Ford are making at least 7 or 8k profit on each F series they sell, and considering they are so cheap, they start at around 20k or something, that's a massive amount of profit per vehicle, the most profitable vehicles on the US market they reckon, in terms of profit as a % of vehicle cost.

That is the sole reason right there that Ford or GM will never sell Falcon or Commodore utes in the US, they will do whatever they can to protect those huge profits. Am i'm pretty sure there is also a very high tariff on imported utes in the US, hence Honda and Nissan build there big pick-ups in the US.

[duaned]

Originally Posted by Kable72

Can tell you I bought my ute to stand out from the sedans. Everyone loves a good looking ute.

I don't mind the look of utes but as long as it is not a FG. FG sedans are fantastic in their shape and lines but the ute has got this all wrong in my opinion. It just looks like a sedan chopped at the b pillar with tray thrown on the back. Hardly good looking! The VE got the ute shape right though. Shame it wears the wrong badge.

I wont miss the ute at all (either holden or ford). I simply don't see the point of only having two seats. Dual cab utes are a better choice overall simply due to combining their roll as a car for the family and workhorse all in one.

[Kable72]

Originally Posted by duaned

I don't mind the look of utes but as long as it is not a FG. FG sedans are fantastic in their shape and lines but the ute has got this all wrong in my opinion. It just looks like a sedan chopped at the b pillar with tray thrown on the back. Hardly good looking! The VE got the ute shape right though. Shame it wears the wrong badge.

I wont miss the ute at all (either holden or ford). I simply don't see the point of only having two seats. Dual cab utes are a better choice overall simply due to combining their roll as a car for the family and workhorse all in one.

image

You can have your opinion and that's fine but I can never fit in the back seat of them dual cab utes. Rear seats in them things are as useless as tits on a bull. Only one I have ever been able to fit into is the Ranger and by association the BT-50. Every other one puts you in the most uncomfortable position just to fit into it. God forbid its the only car you have and you and your mates want to go for a drive or you're dropping your friends at the pub.

[steve.zissou]

hi mr car company.

I want:
400hp sports car
tunable to over 700hp
that will carry 30 cases of beer or 50 bags of cement and a wet dog
Have super cheap spare parts
handle like a car
reliable as a taxi
and uses fuel at a normal rate.

what do you mean i am a dying breed -

Stupid car companies no one listens to the regular guy

[Kable72]

Originally Posted by steve.zissou

hi mr car company.

I want:
400hp sports car
tunable to over 700hp
that will carry 30 cases of beer or 50 bags of cement and a wet dog
Have super cheap spare parts
handle like a car
reliable as a taxi
and uses fuel at a normal rate.

what do you mean i am a dying breed -

Stupid car companies no one listens to the regular guy

image

I don't think anyone here is saying anything along those lines. No one wants what we want anymore.

[UberKnee]

Didn't they sell VE Utes in the states up until the GFC and Pontiac was shut down, which was what they were badged as in the States?

[burnz]

Originally Posted by UberKnee

Didn't they sell VE Utes in the states up until the GFC and Pontiac was shut down, which was what they were badged as in the States?

no utes just Monaro, and SS..

UK is where all types were sold.

[Itsme]

Originally Posted by steve.zissou

And those that say real tradies get a ranger or hilux - they are the biggest POS out there. the insides are atleast 10 or more years out of date. they are slower than a 2 legged dog and handle like crap. And worse their payload is bugger all more than a falcon ute or holden commodore.

I love Utes as my last one was an FG XR6 and now I own the Ranger.
Your comments are ill founded, compare the specs before you make foolish comments.
The Ranger is lot better than your description.

Cheers.

[Ford_The_Win]

Doesn't really worry me to be honest, I'd never buy one. By all accounts the new Chevy Impala is a pretty sweet car so if some version of that is the Commodore's replacement, I would consider one.

[buggerlugs]

Originally Posted by Kable72

You can have your opinion and that's fine but I can never fit in the back seat of them dual cab utes. Rear seats in them things are as useless as tits on a bull. Only one I have ever been able to fit into is the Ranger and by association the BT-50. Every other one puts you in the most uncomfortable position just to fit into it. God forbid its the only car you have and you and your mates want to go for a drive or you're dropping your friends at the pub.

That is why you see so many Landcruiser and Patrol wagons chopped up and made into twin cabs. At least if you are 6ft or over you can sit in the back of them...........

[Kable72]

Originally Posted by buggerlugs

That is why you see so many Landcruiser and Patrol wagons chopped up and made into twin cabs. At least if you are 6ft or over you can sit in the back of them...........

Oh god so many times this. I have a pleasure sitting in the back of one of them chop jobs for a long trip and will forever take pleasure in doing so. Can nearly live in the back of them.

[UberKnee]

Modern day 4x4s really aren't that bad. Plenty of grunt for driving round town and even driving like a tool if thats your thing. Sure they dont handle like an M3 or a Porsche but neither does any Falcon ever made. I've had a ML Triton for a couple if years now and even towing my work trailer full of tools it still has plenty of grunt. Wont outdrag an XR8 or anything like that but its enough. And cramped back seats is still better than no back seats if you need them.

Originally Posted by burnz

no utes just Monaro, and SS..

UK is where all types were sold.

Yeah, it seems Pontiac closed down before the intended export of G8 ST (utes) was to begin in 2010.

So they tried, I dont see Aussie utes doing any real damage to the huge trucks the yanks love. Sure the size would be a hassle for some but they love huge cars over there.

[H.G]

It's not a true ute if its got rear seats!

[jmack]

Originally Posted by UberKnee

Modern day 4x4s really aren't that bad. Plenty of grunt for driving round town and even driving like a tool if thats your thing. Sure they dont handle like an M3 or a Porsche but neither does any Falcon ever made. I've had a ML Triton for a couple if years now and even towing my work trailer full of tools it still has plenty of grunt. Wont outdrag an XR8 or anything like that but its enough. And cramped back seats is still better than no back seats if you need them.



Yeah, it seems Pontiac closed down before the intended export of G8 ST (utes) was to begin in 2010.

So they tried, I dont see Aussie utes doing any real damage to the huge trucks the yanks love. Sure the size would be a hassle for some but they love huge cars over there.

drive a triton for work, what a pos,get beaten by from the lights from people in wheel chairs,a milk crate would be more comfortable to sit on,gear ratios are useless,not enough power to accelerate in second,throws u though window going to first,3 seater yeah right if you r a hobbit,air cond is crap,give me a aussie ute anyday

[JG34JA]

"Although he was to enjoy a 46-year career with Ford, Bandt’s chief distinction, the design of the `coupe utility’, came early. In 1932 a Gippsland farmer’s wife wrote to the company pointing out the need for a combined work and passenger vehicle, purpose-built for farmers who were having to make do with `buckboards’: open-sided, soft-canopy T-model cars converted by adding a rear timber tray to carry loads. Bandt’s innovation provided for an enclosed, protective and comfortable cabin at the front and a tray at the back, 5 ft 5 ins (165 cm) long and able to carry 1200 lb. (544 kg). "

RIP ute.

[Express]

Originally Posted by UberKnee

I dont see Aussie utes doing any real damage to the huge trucks the yanks love. Sure the size would be a hassle for some but they love huge cars over there.

You’re right they do love their trucks over there but it’s rare to see a big sedan there outside of 7 series BMW, E Class Mercs and Jags.

Even the Crown Victoria as a taxi has almost entirely been replaced by the Toyota Prius these days.

Most of the cars on the road are small Jap stuff and by most I would say well over 90%.

The most popular performance car model I saw there recently outside of 10 year old Mustangs was by far the Dodge Challenger and it looked big amongst all the small stuff.

And what a hot looking car it is, some fantastic cammed version drove by.

6.4 litres, yummmmm.


.

[UberKnee]

Originally Posted by Express

You’re right they do love their trucks over there but it’s rare to see a big sedan there outside of 7 series BMW, E Class Mercs and Jags.

Even the Crown Victoria as a taxi has almost entirely been replaced by the Toyota Prius these days.

Most of the cars on the road are small Jap stuff and by most I would say well over 90%.

The most popular performance car model I saw there recently outside of 10 year old Mustangs was by far the Dodge Challenger and it looked big amongst all the small stuff.

And what a hot looking car it is, some fantastic cammed version drove by.

6.4 litres, yummmmm.


.

The modern Challengers are a great car. I'd take one over a Camaro or even a Mustang.

Originally Posted by jmack

drive a triton for work, what a pos,get beaten by from the lights from people in wheel chairs,a milk crate would be more comfortable to sit on,gear ratios are useless,not enough power to accelerate in second,throws u though window going to first,3 seater yeah right if you r a hobbit,air cond is crap,give me a aussie ute anyday

Sounds like the single cab version which is just a basic no thrills work ute. One of the things the GLXR Tritons and such have is really good seats, comfy, yet not a lounge chair you slide around in like the Commodore seats. Mine has plenty of acceleration. But judging an entire market off of the POV pack version is silly, like judging an RSpec by what a dull slow car the XT Falcon is.

[Cuyper]

There never was an Aussie ute, its only an illusion. There will still be a ute, it'll just be built in the states where gm and the usa need/want it to be built. If we ever want an Australian ute or anything else built here in the future it'll have to come from an Australian company. Not a US company like Ford or GM.

[jmack]

Originally Posted by UberKnee

Sounds like the single cab version which is just a basic no thrills work ute. One of the things the GLXR Tritons and such have is really good seats, comfy, yet not a lounge chair you slide around in like the Commodore seats. Mine has plenty of acceleration. But judging an entire market off of the POV pack version is silly, like judging an RSpec by what a dull slow car the XT Falcon is.

isnt that what a ford /holden ute is, a single a cab ,not a 4 door sedan with a boot with no lid

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

I read an article posted on the Ford internal website from one of the US business publications about that, and their estimation was that Ford are making at least 7 or 8k profit on each F series they sell, and considering they are so cheap, they start at around 20k or something, that's a massive amount of profit per vehicle, the most profitable vehicles on the US market they reckon, in terms of profit as a % of vehicle cost.
The majority of F150s sold are well over $30,000 and have effectively replaced large BOF cars.

That is the sole reason right there that Ford or GM will never sell Falcon or Commodore utes in the US, they will do whatever they can to protect those huge profits. Am i'm pretty sure there is also a very high tariff on imported utes in the US, hence Honda and Nissan build there big pick-ups in the US.

Here's a statistic for you, 95% of F150's sold are either Super cabs or Double cabs.
According to a GM manager who made a comment earlier this year, F150 has an
average transaction price of around $4,500 higher than Chevrolet Silverado.

The bulk of the profit in the USA comes from Ford's trucks, vans and Utility vehicles (SUVs and CUVs).
Cars are only a small fraction of the profit but at least everything now makes a profit.

US buyers in general have moved on completely from car based pick ups, you couldn't give them away.

25% import tax on commercial vehicles from Asia but US government is negotiating
free trade agreement with pacific rim nations including Japan but in return,
Japan and Korea must open markets to US companies...

[bigwil]

There was an article in sundays herald sun about the end of the holden ute in 2016, then yesterdays paper it said that the company has confirmed the end of the ute, still don't believe it until Holden come out and say it themselves.

[jpd80]

No we get to watch the sales of both manufacturer's vehicles slowly ebb away month by month.
there's still time for people who really want Aussie cars to go out and buy one new.

I love my new EcoLPI Ute, it goes great and gives good economy, my mission is to convince others to try one...

[nstg8a]

I wish my boss would buy me a new ute lol.

If I don't get a fh then a low Kay ve maloo will be squarely in my sights I think, I reckon they will go down in history as one of the better Aussie utes.