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When not salivating over the prospect of the forthcoming C7 Corvette, GM Performance enthusiasts are busy speculating over the Chevrolet SS. The Holden Commodore-based performance sedan recently made its debut in NASCAR form, with the production model slated to launch on the weekend of the 2013 Daytona 500. Part of the rumor-mongering for this rear-wheel-drive V8 sedan was talks of US-bound translation of the Holden Ute - also the artist formerly know as the Pontiac G8 ST (pictured).

Australian outlet Adelaidenow.com cites GM Authority's findings that General Motors filed to renew its trademark the "El Camino" name. GM Authority also points to the recent filing of the "Nomad" name, connecting it to speculation that both ute and wagon variants of the SS would follow the sedan.

Holden spokesman Sean Poppitt was rather ambiguous about about the potential for a US Ute: "We haven't made a decision on the next generation Ute to its presence in export markets outside Australia," said Poppitt, "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."

So, while it is no confirmation of future product, one need only connect the dots, from the groundwork laid by the G8 ST, to the new SS, to this patent filing, and the possibility becomes very real that we could finally get the ute for which we've been pining on our shores.

Is the Holden Ute back on for the US? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 06 Dec 2012 15:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chevroletchevrolet el caminochevy el caminoholdenholden commodoreholden utepontiac g8 stThu, 06 Dec 2012 15:46:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20395874/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/12/06/is-the-holden-ute-back-on-for-the-us/20395874/article-detail.xml 20395874 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/12/pontial-g8-st_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/12/pontial-g8-st.jpg <![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 http://www.autoblog.com/feed/993051/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2007/09/19/bob-lutz-on-us-ute-odds-are-it-will-happen/993051/article-detail.xml 993051 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/09/07vessvute_055_opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/09/07vessvute_055_opt.jpg <![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.

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