It is exciting that the next car to the US has been selected - The VE Commodore vehicle to be a marketed as a Pontiac.

Hope it succeeds

Maybe the Ute will be next!

Mike McInerney:aus_flag:

+1 on the Ute. I've salivated over that car/truck for a while now. LOL

Ditto on the Ute, but maybe in a year or so. But don't use the El Camino name, which I respect but a lot of other people don't.

The Ute would be big here.

+1. I would love to see the Ute sold here as well.

+1. I would love to see the Ute sold here as well.

Me too!! Heck, GM used our GTO's to dial in the pipeline from Aus to USA. They might as well bring all the good stuff here.:D

Ditto on the Ute, but maybe in a year or so. But don't use the El Camino name, which I respect but a lot of other people don't.

I agree. None of the old names for this hybrid would fit in today's market. Just don't give it an alphanumeric name. :banghead:

A ute would be a nice choice but I honestly don't think it would sell very well.

A ute would be a nice choice but I honestly don't think it would sell very well.

To the right audience. But, how big that audience is, I don't know.

i think the UTE would fail personally...but i'm not that big on trends...

To the right audience. But, how big that audience is, I don't know.

I had Holden Utes for business and pleasure from the age of 21 to 29.

It was the ideal vehicle to have especially when courting.

After marriage and the comment became, "You can't put a bassinet in the back tray dear!!!"

So I reluctantly forgave the Ute for a sedan.

But to this day, I tell the wife that the minute Holden bring out a Diesel Ute, I'm buying. They have all the equipment of a sedan and a lockable cover over the tray so "no excuses".

Mike

A ute would be a nice choice but I honestly don't think it would sell very well.

i think the UTE would fail personally...but i'm not that big on trends...

I agree - I think the Ute would fail here. I think it's a neat car/truck but would not be well received in the US...

For a utility in the US, would it be considered a 'commercial vehicle" like it is here in Australia, and have a "commercial" registration and insurance regime?

Mike

I would like to see the Ute. I think if this is going to be an import, why not do it in very small numberes as a niche car. Go into it with the intention of it being a small market Chevy, and let the high demand keep the price high.

I would want a new El Camino. I used to want one as a kid...thought they were cool.

I like the Ute, but I have to agree that it's very much a niche market vehicle.
Still want one though.

i hope they bring the utes over also

what about a ute like this one ? mmmm

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l231/VE-SS_2006/SSL20321.jpg

Oz is really big on utes for some reason.. very popular tradesman vehicle
over here.. Will be interesting to see what the VE ute will look like.

My wifes best mate from Kansas loves his pickups i showed a few pics of Holden utes, he wants one so bad he is looking into importing one..
Mind you he's not satisfied with an SS ute hew wants a HSV Maloo..

I'd buy a UTE just to be different...

If the ute came over I think I would have to trade the GOAT and park the ute along side the G8 GT

what about a ute like this one ? mmmm

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l231/VE-SS_2006/SSL20321.jpg

Oz is really big on utes for some reason.. very popular tradesman vehicle
over here.. Will be interesting to see what the VE ute will look like.

I could live with that :D :D

I had Holden Utes for business and pleasure from the age of 21 to 29.

It was the ideal vehicle to have especially when courting.

After marriage and the comment became, "You can't put a bassinet in the back tray dear!!!"

So I reluctantly forgave the Ute for a sedan.

But to this day, I tell the wife that the minute Holden bring out a Diesel Ute, I'm buying. They have all the equipment of a sedan and a lockable cover over the tray so "no excuses".

Mike

Hey Mike, even less excuses considering its most likely that due to the success of the VY/VZ Crewman, America as well as Australia will get a version of it in VE Body. To our friendly American posters, that is a Commodore ute with 4 doors. Massive things they are and are used now in Victoria as a 4 door Police Divisional Van. Again to our friends in The U.S of A. These are police vans they throw the crims and drunks into when heading to the station. These things have a massive following and I think would suit a lot of American Tradesman or even those who want a 4 door with the ability to put a jetski in.

If we did not have the smaller truck market covered with the Colorado the ute would be perfect. Anyone remember the SS/396 El Camino. Weighed less than similary equipped car and was faster.

The Ute would be a good car to bring over and limit them to 10K units. Hell if it was priced right, Id park the G8 next to the Goat for the winter and drive the ute year-round!

I would buy a ute over the G8 sedan if it was available here...

I say bring the ute over and call it a 'Poncho'.

Does anyone know how many SSR's were made? Seems that at least that many utes would sell, since it would be cheaper and more versatile than the SSR. Also, fans of the GTO and G8 would already know of Aussie value and build quality, thus creating some 'gotta have it' factor.

Paco has the right idea. Especially the "Thunder Ute" http://www.holdencampaign.com.au/thunder/content.html
A G8 GT or G6 GXP (whichever fits) nose on that baby and a companion model as is with a bowtie and SS in the grill and "pickup" gets a whole new meaning.

Good news for those that want a ute!
It seems they will be heading to the USA as El Camino's.
There was a small article in one of our daily papers here in Melbourne quoting Lutz confirming it. I would type it out but threw the paper away already and can't find the article on the website of www.heraldsun.com.au
So same 362hp engine in a much lighter body, pretty much.

A test drive of what you might get (G8 not ute):

http://www.caradvice.com.au/1461/ve-holden-commodore-ss-road-test/

http://www.drive.com.au/Editorial/ArticleDetail.aspx?ArticleID=18937&vf=1

Will it be 2-door or 4-door?

i'm glad g8 are 10time better than those gto we built for america. they were a nightmare building them and some 180odd of them a day. i reckon i still get nightmares 3 years on.