US auto bailout goes ahead!

[phillyc]

Originally Posted by Ohio XB

2008's two biggest sellers were still pick-up trucks. We have many many contractors here.


I think the majority of Americans don't believe that gas prices will stay as low as they currently are. Steve

Yet the payload of several Falcon ute models is higher than the F150 that was sold here for a fews years ago. They don't necessarily need the same size vehicle, just the same carrying capacity.

[Ohio XB]

Originally Posted by phillyc

Yet the payload of several Falcon ute models is higher than the F150 that was sold here for a fews years ago. They don't necessarily need the same size vehicle, just the same carrying capacity.

I would agree with that. What is the carrying capacity of the utes now? The base F-150 is 3,000 pounds / 1,361 Kg.


Steve

[cool65]

Struggling US motoring giant General Motors (GM) has axed the Australian-made Pontiac G8 ST sports truck, a vehicle based on the popular Holden ute.

The car was to be built at GM's plant at Elizabeth, South Australia, and shipped to the American market but with GM's survival relying on a multi-billion dollar US government bailout, the company confirmed on Tuesday the Pontiac ute was one of the casualties of its financial problems.

The Pontiac ute was a re-badged version of Holden's VE ute.

Pontiac spokesman Jim Hopson said GM would continue to produce Pontiac sedans for the US market from the Elizabeth plant after impressive sales in the US.

"It's just the ute model," Hopson confirmed to AAP on Wednesday.

"Not the remainder of the G8 family."

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by Ohio XB

I would agree with that. What is the carrying capacity of the utes now? The base F-150 is 3,000 pounds / 1,361 Kg.


Steve

Around 1200kg.

[Ohio XB]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

Around 1200kg.

That's very impressive for a vehicle that size. What about towing capacity?


Steve

[Ohio XB]

Originally Posted by cool65

Struggling US motoring giant General Motors (GM) has axed the Australian-made Pontiac G8 ST sports truck, a vehicle based on the popular Holden ute.

The car was to be built at GM's plant at Elizabeth, South Australia, and shipped to the American market but with GM's survival relying on a multi-billion dollar US government bailout, the company confirmed on Tuesday the Pontiac ute was one of the casualties of its financial problems.

The Pontiac ute was a re-badged version of Holden's VE ute.

Pontiac spokesman Jim Hopson said GM would continue to produce Pontiac sedans for the US market from the Elizabeth plant after impressive sales in the US.

"It's just the ute model," Hopson confirmed to AAP on Wednesday.

"Not the remainder of the G8 family."

I would suspect because GM is getting money from the Federal Government that they don't want to be seen spending it to bring over cars from Australia that they aren't bringing over already. Just my guess.


Steve

[vztrt]

Originally Posted by Ohio XB

That's very impressive for a vehicle that size. What about towing capacity?


Steve

Auto model its 1600kg but you can option a 2300kg tow pack (again auto only, manual only allows 1200kg).

[Ohio XB]

Originally Posted by vztrt

Auto model its 1600kg but you can option a 2300kg tow pack (again auto only, manual only allows 1200kg).

Again, very impressive for a vehicle of this size, but not quite in the range of the F-150.


I have shopped around the Falcon Ute at some message boards with younger crowds and get mixed reviews. Thinking they would dig something different I thought they would like it. Basically it seems to be a love/hate thing. Some love the styling, others wonder why someone would build such a thing, usually those that have never seen an El Camino or Ranchero.


Steve

[Paxton]

Originally Posted by Ohio XB

Again, very impressive for a vehicle of this size, but not quite in the range of the F-150.


I have shopped around the Falcon Ute at some message boards with younger crowds and get mixed reviews. Thinking they would dig something different I thought they would like it. Basically it seems to be a love/hate thing. Some love the styling, others wonder why someone would build such a thing, usually those that have never seen an El Camino or Ranchero.


Steve

Did you show them what they (Commodore and Falcon Ute) are based on? Falcon usually gets drools (among other things) from the Americans on various boards, wondering why you don't have the XR6 Turbo and XR8 for sale over there. Pontiac have tried and Failed with the Commodore, and the El Camino won't appear any more (but Pontiac itself is on shaky ground).

Do you think Falcon would sell in the States as, say F100? Hypothetically, as is (I6T as an option).