Utes are fast becoming the new Aussie family car: Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger set new record

[Express]

Utes are fast becoming the new Aussie family car: Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger set new record






Joshua Dowling, National Motoring Editor, News Corp Australia Network
November 2, 2016



EXCLUSIVE

AUSTRALIA’S love affair with utes has just reached a staggering new milestone.

The Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger were the two top selling cars outright in October — pushing popular models such as the Toyota Corolla, Mazda3 and Hyundai i30 down the pecking order.

It is the first time in Australian automotive history that a pair of utility vehicles have taken out the top two spots in the monthly sales charts.

In another shock, the Toyota HiLux has become the top-selling vehicle year-to-date — narrowly ahead of the Toyota Corolla which has been Australia’s favourite car for the past three years in a row.

The Toyota HiLux has led the monthly charts before, but this is the first time it has come close to taking out top prize in the annual sales race.

However, Australia’s top-selling workhorse for the past three decades is under threat from the Ford Ranger.



Ford Ranger (left) is closing the gap on Toyota HiLux (right). Picture: Joshua Dowling


The Toyota HiLux four-door 4WD ute has been outsold by the equivalent Ford Ranger for six of the past 10 months — including September and October — but HiLux still leads the ute market overall when the cheaper models are tallied as well.

The popularity of utes was previously attributed to the mining boom.

But industry experts say utes are becoming the “new SUV”, doubling up as a work vehicle and a family car.

The appeal of utes is now so strong that even German luxury brand Mercedes-Benz is joining the booming market.

Unveiling its take on the ute theme last week, the global boss of Mercedes-Benz, Dieter Zetsche, said: “More and more people consider pick-ups like SUVs. History is repeating. What we saw 20 years ago with SUVs we are seeing today with the pick-up market.”

Mercedes-Benz market analyst, Anja Kratzenstein said: “The pick-up market has changed, they are now being bought by passenger-car buyers.”



Ford Ranger has made a big impact on the ute market. Picture: Supplied


Meanwhile, Toyota is in a race with itself for the title of Australia’s top-selling car.

The HiLux ute and Corolla small car now have a clear lead over the Hyundai i30, Mazda3 and Ford Ranger for outright honours in 2016.

If the Corolla wins, it will be its fourth year in a row at the top of the charts.

If the HiLux wins, it will go down in history as the first ute to lead the new-car market in Australia.

Toyota as a brand is on track to post its 14th year in a row as overall market leader — ahead of Mazda and Hyundai — while Holden and Ford battle for fourth and fifth place.

Holden is on track to post its lowest sales in 23 years and the Commodore was even outsold by the Toyota Camry last month.

Ford posted its 12th month in a row of sales growth after 11 years of straight decline.

Mazda had a tough time in October — overtaken by Hyundai and pushed to third place — and the Mazda CX-5 soft-roader was bounced out of the Top 10 after being outsold by equivalent models from Nissan and Mitsubishi.


Top 11 cars: October 2016

Toyota HiLux 3350

Ford Ranger 3215

Toyota Corolla 3210

Hyundai i30 2715

Mazda3 2190

Toyota Camry 2135

Holden Commodore 2100

Hyundai Accent 2010

Nissan XTrail 1655

Mitsubishi ASX 1650

Mazda CX-5 1610


Top 10 brands: October 2016

Toyota 16,350

Hyundai 8700

Mazda 7900

Holden 7520

Ford 6500

Nissan 5540

Mitsubishi 5240

Volkswagen 4870

Subaru 4140

Kia 3540


Source: Car industry preliminary figures, rounded.


BEST OF BOTH WORLDS

The TV ads might make some blokes cringe, but the reality is the modern workhorse is turning into a show pony — while still being able to get the job done.

The “work and play” marketing spin has become a reality — but it’s not because utes have suddenly become a fashion accessory.

There is a long list of plausible reasons the car industry is now predicting utes are becoming the new family cars, and are poised to overtake the growth of SUVs.

In Australia, utes are already the third-biggest selling vehicle type after small cars and SUVs.

In Queensland, West Australia and the Northern Territory, the Toyota HiLux has been the top seller for seven years in a row.



Bede Watson, 20, with his Ford Ranger which he loves taking on camping and surf trips. Picture: Lachie Millard


Now it is on the verge of beating the iconic Toyota Corolla as the favourite car across the entire nation.

If the HiLux takes top honours for 2016 it will be the first time in Australian automotive history a ute has led the market. Perhaps we shouldn’t be surprised: Australia did invent the ute, after all.

It’s been a long and bumpy road to get to this point, but the explanation is simple. The mining boom delivered the initial sales burst but, now that has subsided, it’s Aussie mums and dads driving the growth in ute sales.

Utes today are dramatically different from how they drove just five years ago.

Fleets demanded better safety (the HiLux has seven airbags, the same as a Corolla) and customers demanded better technology (the Ford Ranger, for example, has radar cruise control, automatic lane keeping assistance, and Apple CarPlay).

No wonder German luxury brand Mercedes wants in on the action.

While the Mercedes ute — shhh, it’s a Nissan Navara underneath, Mercedes did a model-sharing deal to get to market quicker — will be priced out of reach for most Australians when it goes on sale locally in 2018, it means every other brand will need to lift their game.

If you think the current crop of utes is pretty good, wait until you see the choice in 2020. Every major brand is working hard right now to add more technology, better comfort and more car-like driving behaviour to their future models.

How do they say it in France? Tray chic.

This reporter is on Twitter: @JoshuaDowling

.

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/tec...90c1ffa2d089f8

[TheInterceptor]

Yep I already know. There's always some knob in one of these hogging the right hand lane or pushing their way through traffic as they think they are big and tough. Also the kind usually found in the bush who don't dip high beams and have total disregard for other people outside of their convoy.

However the nomads who use them to tow are good and they're bloody good vehicles for that! They have come such a long way over the past decade.
But it gets on my nerves when manufacturers market them as trucks. They are not trucks. If this was America then that's okay as that's their lingo!

[Sabantien]

Originally Posted by TheInterceptor

However the nomads who use them to tow are good and they're bloody good vehicles for that! They have come such a long way over the past decade.
But it gets on my nerves when manufacturers market them as trucks. They are not trucks. If this was America then that's okay as that's their lingo!

I saw one with a caravan hooked into the tray, pretty much set up like a semi trailer. Could forgive them calling it a truck!

I guess for families, it's nice to not have to bend over to strap the sprog into the rear seats, but I still think buying a 4wd you'll never take off the road is just a waste, both of a 4wd and of money.

Another thing, while it may be more convenient when dealing with child seats, you probably should also be looking into safety, and they don't handle/brake anywhere near as well as a family sized sedan. In fact, I'm sure someone (Top Gear? Mythbusters?) tested them in crashes and found that you were more at risk of injury in an SUV/4wd.

[Brazen]

1 in 4 road deaths in Australia are due to rollovers, so obviously a tall vehicle doesn't help. But for most people puttering around the suburbs it shouldn't be an issue.

[ebv8]

strange that all these new sedans and hatches come out with state of the art suspension, fuel efficient & powerful engines with loads of electronic safety features then the top sellers are oil burners with leaf springs and drum brakes on the back.

a Hyundai Santa Fe 2.2 diesel has 147kw and 440Nm
a Hilux has a 2.8 diesel and only 130kw and 420Nm
the hilux is much lower tech but still cost more and is still the number 1 seller

i put it down to these utes still have a soul and character while modern cars have no soul, passion or feel, they are just a comfy place to sit while you get from a to b but thats no fun

these utes are the new Falcon/Commodores they just need to put decent petrol engines into them ie: 5.0 coyt and 6.2 LS3's

[Stefan]

Debunks the fact that motorists are moving towards smaller and more compact cars.

Ranger does seem to be the new "bogan weapon of choice"

They are versatile I'll give them that.

[Deo]

Tax

Sent from my GTi-9305 using bloody Tapatalk

[whitelion65]

Watch out for Moose!!

[cheap]

They're practical multi-function vehicles. If Ford Australia had half a brain, they would bring in a select range of F series, factory RHD and at a reasonable cost. It would sell like hot cakes.

[Sioso]

FBT Exempt.......

[FormulaFG]

Put a shirt on, ya peanut

[ronwest]

No doubt Westfield, etc, will be making car parking spaces larger.

Or maybe not...

[malazn mafia]

Originally Posted by cheap

They're practical multi-function vehicles. If Ford Australia had half a brain, they would bring in a select range of F series, factory RHD and at a reasonable cost. It would sell like hot cakes.

They should raid MoFoCo USA's parts catalogue and make Ranger XR6 Turbo and Ranger XR8. Fraud Australia can then be forgiven, even if they are made of recycled John West tuna cans in Thailand.

It is quite astonishing that the Korean styled Camry has managed to outsell the VF Dunnydore...

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by ebv8

strange that all these new sedans and hatches come out with state of the art suspension, fuel efficient & powerful engines with loads of electronic safety features then the top sellers are oil burners with leaf springs and drum brakes on the back.

a Hyundai Santa Fe 2.2 diesel has 147kw and 440Nm
a Hilux has a 2.8 diesel and only 130kw and 420Nm
the hilux is much lower tech but still cost more and is still the number 1 seller

i put it down to these utes still have a soul and character while modern cars have no soul, passion or feel, they are just a comfy place to sit while you get from a to b but thats no fun

these utes are the new Falcon/Commodores they just need to put decent petrol engines into them ie: 5.0 coyt and 6.2 LS3's

Put that down to Toyota's crap diesel "tech". But then again most, if not all current Toyota's are underpowered compared to rivals. Except maybe ones with the 3.5 V6.

[Windsor220]

I'm surprised Ranger is still doing so strong considering it's not exactly cheap.

[You Yangs]

Toyota build such a great handling Hilux don't they.
https://youtu.be/xoHbn8-ROiQ

[asagaai]

Originally Posted by You Yangs

Toyota build such a great handling Hilux don't they.
https://youtu.be/xoHbn8-ROiQ

When I lived in the Northern Territory I was very surprised at how many single 4wd rollovers there were that killed the occupants.

For me I like a sedan or vehicle to be wide, low centre of gravity- cause best plans go awry- and this inherent dynamic will minimise rollover- which is a critical safety issue.

[Itsme]

Originally Posted by cheap

They're practical multi-function vehicles. If Ford Australia had half a brain, they would bring in a select range of F series, factory RHD and at a reasonable cost. It would sell like hot cakes.

Why????? Rangers are selling like hot Cakes!

[Streets]

Not a fan of the styling on all these new oversize dual cabs. They look like they've had an air hose hooked up to them and inflated full of air.

[Brazen]

Anyone considering a dual cab for their next car?

[Rallye Sport]

Originally Posted by ebv8

i put it down to these utes still have a soul and character while modern cars have no soul, passion or feel, they are just a comfy place to sit while you get from a to b but thats no fun

Have you driven a Ranger? They are about the most soul-less, underpowered, over governed, sanitary thing that I've ever had the misfortune to pilot... then theres the door chime...

[CyberWasp]

They should have been made in Australia and marketed around the world as outback tough.

[mick74GT]

I don't really understand the hate, maybe it's because falcon and commodore are no longer being produced ?

We bought a new Wildtrak and it's great. For a 5cyl diesel it's got plenty of grunt but obviously you can't compare it to a v8 or a 6t. But when buying one that's not what you are expecting anyway.

The wife loves driving it as well with the extra height. Easy to get around in, has every feature and is a nice cabin to be in. We can thrown the dog in the back, go anywhere. Excellent to tow the boat. Great rig no complaints

[MAGPIE]

Originally Posted by mick74GT

I don't really understand the hate, maybe it's because falcon and commodore are no longer being produced ?

Because everyone these days seems to think that they should have an opinion on how others live their lives

I will drive whatever vehicle suits me and I couldn't give a stuff what others think.

Love my new Ranger too

[2011G6E]

Of course they are. We have a Triton, because it perfectly suits all the things we need to do. It's comfortable on trips, great on fuel, carries all the stuff we ever need and all the goodies my missus has for her market stall, is a capable 4x4 off road, and handles very well.

Unless you live in the golden south east corner of the state, a low riding car with licorice strip rubber on 19 or 20" tyres and stiff suspension is just worse than useless...

We'd have had a Ranger in an instant except for the ludicrously high pricing...built in Thailand (probably in similar factories to what spit out things like the Triton), but if you want a diesel auto twin cab, you're looking at nearly sixty grand or more with a few options...

Originally Posted by CyberWasp

They should have been made in Australia and marketed around the world as outback tough.

Completely agree...the makers here didn't see this was the way the wind was blowing and now they're paying the price. Although I kind of do shudder to think what a Ranger would cost if built in Australia...

[TheInterceptor]

Originally Posted by mick74GT

I don't really understand the hate, maybe it's because falcon and commodore are no longer being produced ?

We bought a new Wildtrak and it's great. For a 5cyl diesel it's got plenty of grunt but obviously you can't compare it to a v8 or a 6t. But when buying one that's not what you are expecting anyway.

The wife loves driving it as well with the extra height. Easy to get around in, has every feature and is a nice cabin to be in. We can thrown the dog in the back, go anywhere. Excellent to tow the boat. Great rig no complaints

The hate Hmmmm. For those of us who can't swing the cash yet for something brand new, in the future (if not already) will be stuck with oversized dual cabs which have the excitement of a maths textbook or some kind of hideous SUV which boggles the mind on why people think these are superior to other vehicle types. The last option are soulless mostly hideous front wheel driven let's have no car culture in Australia anymore type vehicles.

Many people buy these large dual cabs and think they are king s . . t (typical shirtless Cory type bloke pictured minus the white sunnies and bottles of ****) and think they own the road, push their way through traffic (and out bush, hog tracks, push smaller vehicles off the road, don't dip high beams and destroy tracks something chronic spinning 4 wheels (and 2wd aswell) with their 2.5t+ fat asses)
They cost more to own, they are expensive to start with, when they have issues its expensive or not covered by warranty as its classically "in spec". They drive good for the bulk, they are quick (in auto) for their bulk and return good economy aswell. Most definitely absolutely soulless, nothing more than plastic and wizardry that is going to fail with enough abuse.
I thought the 6 individual computers/modules in my NC were enough to have me begin hoarding the computers whilst frothing at the mouth.

People said they don't buy falcon as they are thirsty and cost too much to run. What a load of bollocks. Dual cabs and SUV's are worse (except fuel economy is much in the muchness).

Dad has an XLT Ranger, first non Falcon since I was a kid. It's nice but it will be the first vehicle I won't miss when it's gone.
Apparently a steel bullbar, long range tank and canopy is enough to shoot the suspension to buggery ( low enough to have front cv angles inverted, rear springs are moulded around the axel) is normal and not covered under warranty. They are talked up way too much. People are too used to sinking the boot into Aussie cars to the point that people are under the impression imports can never do no wrong.

Towing capability is unrivalled on the upside and are a good do everything vehicle for some people.

[xr8cam]

This market is driven by the US. People have gotten fatter and fatter so enter the SUV. Commercial like space, easy access for fatty's.The next step, pretty up a hilux and bang, "sports trucks" are here which are farm vehicle's with big wheels and GT stripes imo. Watch the toll mount as idiots continue to drive these things like they are sports cars. Sorry if I have offended anybody who likes these, but I don't like them. I have driven some late model Nissan and Toyota commercials, and they are great for what they're designed for, but the lift kits, 20's and tinted windows...sorry, you look like an idiot.

[Windsor220]

Originally Posted by TheInterceptor

The hate Hmmmm. For those of us who can't swing the cash yet for something brand new, in the future (if not already) will be stuck with oversized dual cabs which have the excitement of a maths textbook or some kind of hideous SUV which boggles the mind on why people think these are superior to other vehicle types. The last option are soulless mostly hideous front wheel driven let's have no car culture in Australia anymore type vehicles.

Many people buy these large dual cabs and think they are king s . . t (typical shirtless Cory type bloke pictured minus the white sunnies and bottles of ****) and think they own the road, push their way through traffic (and out bush, hog tracks, push smaller vehicles off the road, don't dip high beams and destroy tracks something chronic spinning 4 wheels (and 2wd aswell) with their 2.5t+ fat asses)
They cost more to own, they are expensive to start with, when they have issues its expensive or not covered by warranty as its classically "in spec". They drive good for the bulk, they are quick (in auto) for their bulk and return good economy aswell. Most definitely absolutely soulless, nothing more than plastic and wizardry that is going to fail with enough abuse.
I thought the 6 individual computers/modules in my NC were enough to have me begin hoarding the computers whilst frothing at the mouth.

People said they don't buy falcon as they are thirsty and cost too much to run. What a load of bollocks. Dual cabs and SUV's are worse (except fuel economy is much in the muchness).

Dad has an XLT Ranger, first non Falcon since I was a kid. It's nice but it will be the first vehicle I won't miss when it's gone.
Apparently a steel bullbar, long range tank and canopy is enough to shoot the suspension to buggery ( low enough to have front cv angles inverted, rear springs are moulded around the axel) is normal and not covered under warranty. They are talked up way too much. People are too used to sinking the boot into Aussie cars to the point that people are under the impression imports can never do no wrong.

Towing capability is unrivalled on the upside and are a good do everything vehicle for some people.

People aren't turned off Falcon and Commodore because they are big and thirsty. It's because they have no versatility. A dual cab can do so much more and is more suitable to peoples lives these days. If I were a new car buyer I would consider a dual cab. I wouldn't consider a Falcon if it was still available.

The typical "thinks he is king *****" driver that tries to push his way through traffic sounds like your typical SS owner.

[Itsme]

Originally Posted by TheInterceptor

The hate Hmmmm. For those of us who can't swing the cash yet for something brand new, in the future (if not already) will be stuck with oversized dual cabs which have the excitement of a maths textbook or some kind of hideous SUV which boggles the mind on why people think these are superior to other vehicle types. The last option are soulless mostly hideous front wheel driven let's have no car culture in Australia anymore type vehicles.

Many people buy these large dual cabs and think they are king s . . t (typical shirtless Cory type bloke pictured minus the white sunnies and bottles of ****) and think they own the road, push their way through traffic (and out bush, hog tracks, push smaller vehicles off the road, don't dip high beams and destroy tracks something chronic spinning 4 wheels (and 2wd aswell) with their 2.5t+ fat asses)
They cost more to own, they are expensive to start with, when they have issues its expensive or not covered by warranty as its classically "in spec". They drive good for the bulk, they are quick (in auto) for their bulk and return good economy aswell. Most definitely absolutely soulless, nothing more than plastic and wizardry that is going to fail with enough abuse.
I thought the 6 individual computers/modules in my NC were enough to have me begin hoarding the computers whilst frothing at the mouth.

People said they don't buy falcon as they are thirsty and cost too much to run. What a load of bollocks. Dual cabs and SUV's are worse (except fuel economy is much in the muchness).

Dad has an XLT Ranger, first non Falcon since I was a kid. It's nice but it will be the first vehicle I won't miss when it's gone.
Apparently a steel bullbar, long range tank and canopy is enough to shoot the suspension to buggery ( low enough to have front cv angles inverted, rear springs are moulded around the axel) is normal and not covered under warranty. They are talked up way too much. People are too used to sinking the boot into Aussie cars to the point that people are under the impression imports can never do no wrong.

Towing capability is unrivalled on the upside and are a good do everything vehicle for some people.

People buy what suits their needs, I'm sorry for not thinking your way as to what vehicles you think people should own, I got sick of owning sedans, wagons or small utes that is inadequate to my needs, is that a crime?

Falcons & Commodores have had their hey day, times are changing so get use to it.

[FlipXW]

Originally Posted by TheInterceptor

The hate Hmmmm. For those of us who can't swing the cash yet for something brand new, in the future (if not already) will be stuck with oversized dual cabs which have the excitement of a maths textbook or some kind of hideous SUV which boggles the mind on why people think these are superior to other vehicle types. The last option are soulless mostly hideous front wheel driven let's have no car culture in Australia anymore type vehicles.

Many people buy these large dual cabs and think they are king s . . t (typical shirtless Cory type bloke pictured minus the white sunnies and bottles of ****) and think they own the road, push their way through traffic (and out bush, hog tracks, push smaller vehicles off the road, don't dip high beams and destroy tracks something chronic spinning 4 wheels (and 2wd aswell) with their 2.5t+ fat asses)
They cost more to own, they are expensive to start with, when they have issues its expensive or not covered by warranty as its classically "in spec". They drive good for the bulk, they are quick (in auto) for their bulk and return good economy aswell. Most definitely absolutely soulless, nothing more than plastic and wizardry that is going to fail with enough abuse.
I thought the 6 individual computers/modules in my NC were enough to have me begin hoarding the computers whilst frothing at the mouth.

People said they don't buy falcon as they are thirsty and cost too much to run. What a load of bollocks. Dual cabs and SUV's are worse (except fuel economy is much in the muchness).

Dad has an XLT Ranger, first non Falcon since I was a kid. It's nice but it will be the first vehicle I won't miss when it's gone.
Apparently a steel bullbar, long range tank and canopy is enough to shoot the suspension to buggery ( low enough to have front cv angles inverted, rear springs are moulded around the axel) is normal and not covered under warranty. They are talked up way too much. People are too used to sinking the boot into Aussie cars to the point that people are under the impression imports can never do no wrong.

Towing capability is unrivalled on the upside and are a good do everything vehicle for some people.

Geez you're throwing a lot of stones for someone who has 2 e-series and a 15yo Subaru. Hardly inspiring vehicles.

I have owned a few different Falcons and they were great but they aren't always going to suit everyones needs. I wouldn't say my Ranger is any more soulless than any other car I've owned before it. Sure its not as engaging to drive as the AU XR6 ute or BA GT but I still have as much fun with this car than I have in any others. I throw my mountain bike in the back and go bush, surfboard in the back then onto the beach, go camping, pick up loads of topsoil, dogs in the back, etc... all while fitting 5 people comfortably inside. Name me some other cars that are that versatile?

Average fuel economy for either Falcon was 13-16/100. Ive done 32000km in the Ranger and have averaged 7.9l/100... On top of that its nearly 2 years old and haven't had a single warranty issue.

I won't even bother about your generalisation about the types that buy them and their driving habits. Happens in all segments.

I won't hesitate to replace this dual cab with another when the time comes. Got a clevo powered x-series in the shed for kicks. Happy days.