The USA wants utes!

[usa ute]

Nice article on Yahoo today about the unavailability of utes (thus far) in the USA--

http://autos.yahoo.com/news/5-funky-...s-.html?page=2

[Troutman]

The G8 Sport Truck came very, very close. Might well have been a bit of a cult car had it not been for the brand's untimely closure.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBD4j3gFiu4

[SSer]

We got 'em, you want 'em. There's an opportunity out there for a shrewd business man. It's a shame the Pontiac brand is gone or there may have been some utes exported you would imagine.

[CLUBRED]

The VF needs to go to the US in all of its body forms in my opinion - I don't get why GM hold them back for, especially now they're pinching in with Opel here now.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jXNar...eature=related

PS - I want that studio

[calais190]

Poor Americans. They've only had the "El Camino" in terms of sports utes... They have no idea what they're missing...

[Hi Octane]

They'd want to be cheap, seen price of f150's in the states. Same as everything i spose aussies get ra*ed.

[motorin on]

They'd want to be cheap, seen price of f150's in the states. Same as everything i spose aussies get ra*ed.

the Yank's love their cars so price may not matter as long as it is competitive
If I didn't need to tow anything large and just wanted a daily driver I would prefer a Maloo over an F150 any day

[Troutman]

There is a guy making utes by combining G8s with imported ute bodies. I've also seen pictures of a Crewman which must have been based off a GTO.

Whilst Australians pay through the nose, we do at least have the option of importing Camaros etc. In the US, the importer has to 'prove' it meets crash test and emissions standards before it can be registered.

[mattnsw]

Whilst Australians pay through the nose, we do at least have the option of importing Camaros etc. In the US, the importer has to 'prove' it meets crash test and emissions standards before it can be registered.

That’s because our emission laws are behind most other western countries and if it’s under 30 years old it will most likely need a RHD conversion otherwise it can’t be registered.

[5.7heaven]

if it’s under 30 years old it will most likely need a RHD conversion otherwise it can’t be registered.

not sure where you're getting your info mate, but the import law is 15 years, and they dont NEED to be converted and dont NEED "caution left hand drive" stickers......at least in WA anyway.
that means you could personally import something built in 1998

[whitels1ss]

not sure where you're getting your info mate, but the import law is 15 years, and they dont NEED to be converted and dont NEED "caution left hand drive" stickers......at least in WA anyway.
that means you could personally import something built in 1998

South Australia is 30 years as well buddy, I reckon it is only WA and perhaps NT that is not 30 years.

[motorin on]

pretty sure I saw a new LH drive BMW in the traffic on the way to work today (Sydney),came past me when I was stopped in the left hand lane
Caught my attention because it had no sticker on the rear about being LH drive
I don't understand why cars need to be converted,if you are a "local' and are used to driving in Oz traffic so know which side of the road to drive on what difference does it make,Most cars have mirrors on both doors now
If I went to the states I would have to think about driving on the other side of the road even though plenty of Aussies go there and do manage without having accidents

[whitels1ss]

South Australia is 30 years as well buddy, I reckon it is only WA and perhaps NT that is not 30 years.

We have plenty of left hand drive over 30 year old cars here in South Australia (a few of my mates have some old american cruisers.)
None of them have any stickers about being left hand drive I don't think they need stickers here anymore.

[aussiemuscle308]

I don't understand why cars need to be converted,

I don't understand why we are still RHD, but yes, forced conversions are nasty. i had an 86 firebird, but didn't want to wait until 2016 to register it, or pay $15k for a half-assed conversion.

Poor Americans. They've only had the "El Camino" in terms of sports utes... They have no idea what they're missing...

What about Ranchero? (apart from being a Ford?) it's also a utility sedan.

[motorin on]

I don't understand why we are still RHD, but yes, forced conversions are nasty. i had an 86 firebird, but didn't want to wait until 2016 to register it, or pay $15k for a half-assed conversion.

I think most experienced drivers would be capable of driving a LHD car in Oz traffic having grown up with local knowledge, and this is the point I am trying to make
Does it really matter if the car is left or right hand drive,be easier to park closer to the left kerb and if parked on the right hand side of a one way street the left mirror needs to be used to pull away from the kerb into traffic