Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Bob Lutz on US Ute: "Odds are it will happen."]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/19/bob-lutz-on-us-ute-odds-are-it-will-happen/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/19/bob-lutz-on-us-ute-odds-are-it-will-happen/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/19/bob-lutz-on-us-ute-odds-are-it-will-happen/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


click above image to view more pics of the Holden VE Ute

A few weeks ago we wrote about an email exchange between "Maximum" Bob Lutz and a GM Inside News forum member by the name of MonaroSS. In the exchange, Lutz claimed he and his colleagues were behind a move to bring the Australian-built Holden Ute to the U.S., but that "it won't be a Cheverolet." Never one to leave a quote like that hanging, Mike Levine from PickupTruck.com cornered "Maximum" Bob in California and asked if he could expound upon the status of a Stateside Ute, to which Lutz replied, "Odds are it will happen," and "We'd love to do it." Sounds promising.

In reference to his line that a Ute sold in the U.S. would not be badged a Chevrolet, Mr. Lutz added, "The Chevy product portfolio is too full to add this to it. We'd do it as either a Pontiac or GMC." Most have assumed a U.S.-spec Ute would be badged a Pontiac since from the A-pillar forward it would be identical to the forthcoming Pontiac G8 sedan, but Bob thinks a revival of the GMC Caballero might be cool, too.

[Source: Pickuptruck.com]

Gallery: Holden VE Ute

Continue reading Bob Lutz on US Ute: "Odds are it will happen."

Bob Lutz on US Ute: "Odds are it will happen." originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 19 Sep 2007 09:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>australiabob lutzBobLutzchevy el caminoChevyElCaminogmc caballeroGmcCaballeroholdenholden ve uteHoldenVeUteUteWed, 19 Sep 2007 09:28:00 EST<![CDATA[Chevy El Camino could return for 2011]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/06/chevy-el-camino-could-return-for-2011/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/06/chevy-el-camino-could-return-for-2011/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/06/chevy-el-camino-could-return-for-2011/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Mike Levine at PickupTruck.com is speculating that there's a good chance the El Camino name will be revived in the near future. The prospects just seem too good considering that Holden, GM's Australian division, is set to soon export the Zeta rear-wheel-drive platform to the U.S. for use in the Chevy Camaro and Pontiac G8. More vehicles are likely, and the El Camino could be among them. Bob Lutz himself has reportedly talked up the business case for an El Camino comeback, and the timing could be right for an Australian Ute to finally make the long trip from Oz to American shores.

PickupTruck.com has a few renderings showing what the El Camino could look like, which isn't hard to guess considering that the new VE Commodore-based Utes are set to debut in Australia in about a month. From the A-pillars forward it would look much like the sedan on which it's based, but all body panels aft of that point will be unique to the Ute. The Australian version will have an engine lineup of V6 and V8 engines, and we suspect that concerns over fuel economy would also necessitate a V6 option for the U.S. market. That's fine, as the General's current crop of V6 engines are smooth and powerful. Of course, it wouldn't be a proper El Camino without the availability of a V8, and we know GM has a few of those lying around.

What do you think? Would there be any takers for a new El Camino in the U.S.? We think the answer is obvious, as this truck wouldn't be an SSR redux. Click on the read link to view three renderings of what a 2011 Chevy El Camino might look like and let us know your thoughts in the comments.

[Source: PickupTruck.com]

Chevy El Camino could return for 2011 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 06 Jul 2007 12:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ChevroletChevyChevy El CaminoChevyElCaminoEl CaminoElCaminoHoldenHolden CommodoreHoldenCommodoretruckUteVE CommodoreVeCommodoreZetaFri, 06 Jul 2007 12:28:00 EST