Too late. All our car companies folded so dickheads here are starting to buy Rams. The smallest utes you can buy here are the Hilux/Triton/Ranger/BT50 which are all about the same size and much bigger then the ones we used to make.
Welp, that’s really disappointing. Once upon a time I thought the Holden Ute was pretty cool looking, and I liked stuff like the El Camino (dunno if y’all had those in Aus, but iirc they were discontinued in the US in the 80s).
I hate the weird “I wanna big car” thing in the US. I can understand wanting lots of footroom and feeling like you’re in a tiny room instead of a car, but you don’t need a massive pickup for that. If that’s what you really want, buy a surplus humvee and take it somewhere to get a custom interior, new shocks fitted and maintenance done. It’ll probably be more interior space than you’ll know what to do with for half the cost of a brand new Ford, and it’ll probably do off-road better as well. Bonus points if you replace the engine with a modern, more efficient diesel or do a full electric conversion. Imagine how much torque you could get out of an electric motor hooked up to a decent gearbox on that frame.
You and me both. I had a 97 Dodge Dakota Sport, which is barely bigger than my CUV. I miss that thing. I hauler a fridge in it once to help my friend out. Haven’t had a need to haul a fridge since, but still, never know when a truck bed will come in handy lol. I just hate that the smallest size now is enormous. Even “sport” models are what used to be standard size anymore.
The way I’d see them coming back is if we improved on electric vehicle design to make it efficient for the size without losing safety or affordability especially long term.
My deep dream is a revival of the El Camino but with current or next gen electric motors. Small with a bed for hauling larger items without the issue of fuel efficiency
I wish the small commuter truck would come back but it’s a fools dream
I want Aussies to invade and force their utes on us. Basically still fill the function of a pickup for 95% of American pickup owners, but way smaller.
Too late. All our car companies folded so dickheads here are starting to buy Rams. The smallest utes you can buy here are the Hilux/Triton/Ranger/BT50 which are all about the same size and much bigger then the ones we used to make.
Welp, that’s really disappointing. Once upon a time I thought the Holden Ute was pretty cool looking, and I liked stuff like the El Camino (dunno if y’all had those in Aus, but iirc they were discontinued in the US in the 80s).
I hate the weird “I wanna big car” thing in the US. I can understand wanting lots of footroom and feeling like you’re in a tiny room instead of a car, but you don’t need a massive pickup for that. If that’s what you really want, buy a surplus humvee and take it somewhere to get a custom interior, new shocks fitted and maintenance done. It’ll probably be more interior space than you’ll know what to do with for half the cost of a brand new Ford, and it’ll probably do off-road better as well. Bonus points if you replace the engine with a modern, more efficient diesel or do a full electric conversion. Imagine how much torque you could get out of an electric motor hooked up to a decent gearbox on that frame.
Holden is completely gone. GM pulled out of the RHD market entirely, so no more Holden, Vauxhall, or whatever they sold in Japan, SA, etc.
You and me both. I had a 97 Dodge Dakota Sport, which is barely bigger than my CUV. I miss that thing. I hauler a fridge in it once to help my friend out. Haven’t had a need to haul a fridge since, but still, never know when a truck bed will come in handy lol. I just hate that the smallest size now is enormous. Even “sport” models are what used to be standard size anymore.
Sport/compact trucks these days seem like they’re really the same size, just with rounded off styling so you get less useful space
The Hyundai Santa Cruz is the closest we have, and they’ve been selling pretty well
Me like. I hope I can get my hands on one of these someday.
US fuel efficiency rules effectively banned them. The light duty pickups are not coming back, sadly.
The way I’d see them coming back is if we improved on electric vehicle design to make it efficient for the size without losing safety or affordability especially long term.
I have a 2015 Tacoma, which I love. But I would much rather an ‘84 Toyota pickup.
My deep dream is a revival of the El Camino but with current or next gen electric motors. Small with a bed for hauling larger items without the issue of fuel efficiency
Buddy of mine still drives a 35 year old Datsun diesel…there’s nothing equivalent out there today.