Ute – Why Not America?
Ute. What is it? Well first, Ute is short for coupe utility. Basically, it is a car in the front and a truck in the back. Other than a few models in America, these vehicles have only been produced and driven in Australia.
In the early 1900′s, the first trucks were open cabs along with an open bed. This early truck was like a rectangle boat on wheels. The banks back then would loan farmers money for trucks, but not for cars with roofs. On rainy days, the farmer and his family got wet. In a famous letter from the wife of a Victorian farmer to Ford of Australia, she expressed her need for a “vehicle that can take the family to church on Sunday and the pigs to market on Monday.” Since cars were a luxury item for the rich, the farmer’s wife wanted a vehicle “for the rest of us.” Thus, the Ute was born.
In Australia and America, cars like Audi, BMW, and Mercedes are part of the dress code for bankers, directors, salesmen, and all types of top managers. The Ute is still the vehicle for the rest of us. From the late 1950′s to the late 1980′s Utes were produced in America. The El Camino was manufactured in America from 1959 to 1987 and the Ford Ranchero from 1957 to 1979. Although the Ute is no longer available for Americans, they are still very popular in Australia. From street machines to off-road rally cars, owners customize, race, and show off their Utes. The popularity of the Ute to the “every man” of Australia is closely similar to the popularity of Mustangs in America.
New Utes are still being made in Australia. Holden, a car producer in Australia, makes a Ute called the Maloo, which happens to be Aborigine for “thunder.” Ford of Australia is still producing the Falcon, which also comes in a Ute version. Toyota of Australia also makes a new Ute called the TRD HiLux. These vehicles have a front and cab of a sports sedan and the back of a pickup. The Ute is the best from both worlds.
When you think of a pickup truck, you may think of slow 0-60 times and most of the time not that much fun on the road. That is not true for the Ute. Think of the Ute not as “utility” but as a “sport truck.” The Holden Maloo R8 has over 400 horses and will go 0-60 in about 5 seconds. The Ford Falcon XR8 Ute puts out about 350 horsepower and 0-60 in about 7 seconds. Instead of comparing the Ute to a pickup, try comparing it to a muscle car.
For one of their 2010 models, GM planned to introduce a Ute version of the Pontiac G8 for Americans. Unfortunately, GM went bankrupt and, through a series of reforms, Pontiac was phased out along with the plans for an American sport truck. Maybe there will be hope for a new El Camino in the coming years. I sent an email to GM regarding my interest in the Ute and inquiring about a sport truck for Americans. In the reply I received from the email to GM, the marketing representative told me that decisions regarding vehicles are dependent on the market. With more interest in these vehicles in America, we could have our own. We already love our trucks and worship our cars, I think America is ready for the two to come together. Why not America?