Holden Commodore ute looks set to get an export deal.

csv8 · 07-12-2012, 10:15 PM

Holden ute to the USA

By Joshua Dowling
Carsguide
06 December 2012

Holden Commodore ute looks set to get an export deal.

The homegrown Holden ute is almost certain to follow in the tyre tracks of its Commodore sedan stablemate and be exported to North America.

The Commodore will be sold in the US from next year as a performance sedan and now it seems the ute will follow soon after. Reports out of the US claim that General Motors has renewed the trademark of the El Camino name, an iconic car-based Chevrolet pick-up sold between 1959 and 1977.

The classic 1970s El Camino has earned recent notoriety in the hit TV series, 'My Name Is Earl' and North American enthusiasts have longed for a revival of the iconic model. The Holden ute was supposed to be exported to North America in 2009 -- all re-engineering work was completed and the car was even unveiled by rapper 50 Cent at the New York Motor Show as a Pontiac.

But that deal ended before exports could begin because the brand was folded in the wake of the Global Financial Crisis. Holden spokesman Sean Poppitt told News Limited: "We haven't made a decision on the next generation ute or its presence in export markets outside Australia.

"However there is the free trade agreement between the US and Australia which means we are not precluded from selling Australian-made light commercial vehicles in the US market." Foreign pick ups and utes rarely make it onto North American soil because they are subject to a 25 per cent import tariff. The US and Australia FTA means there is no tariff barrier.

The US website GM Authority reports that the Chevrolet El Camino trademark was renewed on August 9, 2012. "Any speculation on the trademarking of the El Camino name is just that: speculation. However we are keeping our options open," the Holden spokesman said.
http://www.carsguide.com.au/news-and...sa?origin=hpc2

My question why cann't Ford Aus export to America ???????????????

Ford_The_Win · 07-12-2012, 10:22 PM

That's nice, shame they won't make a cent from them though, what with our dollar plus the fact that yanks won't buy them.

nstg8a · 07-12-2012, 10:29 PM

Ford can't because ford na won't let them, because there's no money tobe made

jpd80 · 07-12-2012, 10:33 PM

I call it an unconfirmed pipe dream from Mr. Dowling.

Amazing how rumors and theories can be spun into facts by journalists
and articles skewed to promote or condemn depending on the brand...

Brazen · 07-12-2012, 10:35 PM

Considering that the Ute is considered a light truck and light trucks from Canada, Mexico and Australia receive a 0% tariff, it actually makes sense to send Utes to the US. The rest of the world gets a massive 25% tariff on light trucks exported to the US - including Japan and Thailand.

Bossxr8 · 07-12-2012, 10:52 PM

So GM renewed the rights to the El Camino name, just like they probably have for the last 30 years, and suddenly it means the Holden ute is going to the US.

Talk about adding 2+2 and getting 45839.

Maybe someone should check to see if Ford have renewed the rights to the Ranchero, because if they have in the last 30 years it must mean the Falcon ute is going to the US. You read it here first folks.

But in saying that it would be cool if they did export the ute to the US as the Ranchero.

Brazen · 07-12-2012, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

So GM renewed the rights to the El Camino name, just like they probably have for the last 30 years, and suddenly it means the Holden ute is going to the US.

Talk about adding 2+2 and getting 45839.

Maybe someone should check to see if Ford have renewed the rights to the Ranchero, because if they have in the last 30 years it must mean the Falcon ute is going to the US. You read it here first folks.

But in saying that it would be cool if they did export the ute to the US as the Ranchero.

That would be magnificent, especially with a supercharged 5 litre, and because it is built in Australia it would be cheap for US customers. I know the RTV was very popular on US forums.

jpd80 · 07-12-2012, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brazen

Considering that the Ute is considered a light truck and light trucks from Canada, Mexico and Australia receive a 0% tariff, it actually makes sense to send Utes to the US. The rest of the world gets a massive 25% tariff on light trucks exported to the US - including Japan and Thailand.

Why not, it makes just as much sense as Caprice PPV....

Brazen · 07-12-2012, 11:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpd80

Why not, it makes just as much sense as Caprice PPV....

Hmmm not so sure about that, the Caprice is in a VERY competitive market. A Ute would be pretty much on its own. Although I understand your comment was tongue-in-cheek :-)

Pepscobra · 07-12-2012, 11:30 PM

If it means a brighter future for Oz manufacturing, then I hope to God it happens.
And I hope that its so successful in the US that FoA consider doing the same with the Falcon.

Bossxr8 · 07-12-2012, 11:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brazen

That would be magnificent, especially with a supercharged 5 litre, and because it is built in Australia it would be cheap for US customers. I know the RTV was very popular on US forums.

It could probably only come with a V8, as they wouldn't want an orphan I6 and the Ecoboost isn't available in utes, and its doubtful someone who would buy a Falcon ute in the US would want a 4 potter anyway.

jpd80 · 07-12-2012, 11:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brazen

Hmmm not so sure about that, the Caprice is in a VERY competitive market. A Ute would be pretty much on its own. Although I understand your comment was tongue-in-cheek :-)

LOL, not meaning to pick a fight but you have to ask yourself why in the USA, a huge market, there are no "El Caminos".
I think time is up for Zeta go around in the USA, the audience is luke warm at best...

Good luck to Holden but fans shouldn't be expecting thousands of Chevrolet SS sales each month...

4stanger · 07-12-2012, 11:59 PM

Going by the size of the US market, if they did sell a Falcon ute there, they would probably sell more than what they sell here!

Brazen · 08-12-2012, 12:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpd80

LOL, not meaning to pick a fight but you have to ask yourself why in the USA, a huge market, there are no "El Caminos".
I think time is up for Zeta go around in the USA, the audience is luke warm at best...

Good luck to Holden but fans shouldn't be expecting thousands of Chevrolet SS sales each month...

Maybe that is one of the strengths of the Aussie motor industry, to be able to provide niche vehicles to much larger markets.

malazn mafia · 08-12-2012, 06:09 PM

Just went to Shanghai, and S*** me to tears to see a fair few WM Caprices getting around, and the only Fords getting around are focuses and mondeos. Why Ford why...

jpd80 · 08-12-2012, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brazen

Maybe that is one of the strengths of the Aussie motor industry, to be able to provide niche vehicles to much larger markets.

Mark Reuss has admitted that GM hasn't completed market research on who SS buyers are but he doesn't seem too concerned,
that mob has a happy knack of ordering car right in front of an economic slow down...

**Burnout** · 08-12-2012, 07:35 PM

I wouldn't have thought Dowling has much credibility anymore.

Cobra · 09-12-2012, 12:35 AM

Ford Ranchero would be awesome. I believe in South Africa they re badged a Falcon ute as a Ranchero a number of years ago. I don't know how much of a sales hit it would be in the US, but I'm sure it could carve a half decent niche.

rjr · 09-12-2012, 06:15 PM

Did anyone see that story about Tony Stewart getting a Maloo ute > is there anything in that.

Cabbage · 09-12-2012, 06:38 PM

I hope it does go ahead for Holden and that Ford would follow suit. The Holden and Ford utes are awesome vehicles and the SS is great for the money. I think the ss might just create its own market over there, when the yanks see them they will love them and with the el camino badge there is a feel good/nostalgic factor. Will be interesting to see how they go.