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