South African exports of Holden Ute to continue
February 27, 2008 by Matt Brogan
Holden announced yesterday that it will export the VE ute to South Africa which continues a five year trend of ute exports to that country.
Although the ute will be re-badges as a Chevy Lumina SS, the specifications are almost identical to our own SS-V.
“The ute is the only vehicle of its kind available in South Africa and has a tremendous appeal amongst a set group of buyers” GM South Africa Marketing Manager Des Fenner says.
Holden export manager Kristian Aquilina said “The company is pleased the long-standing relationship with South Africa will continue. The VE range, including the Ute, has generated a great response from our global partners and there is certainly a market for this kind of vehicle.”
“Exports are an essential part of our strategy and with the success of the VE range overseas we expect to export fifty per cent of the vehicles we make here in Australia in the near future.”
Print it: 
Golf,
thats right mate “in your case” the diesel gives 50% better milage,
but in the falcons case it wouldnt give anywhere near that sort of benefit, hence why i say why bother
Hmmm. If a Commy V6 gives a real-world mix of 12litres/100km and a Commy turbo diesel gives a real world mix of say eight and a half, there’s 40% straight up. With the torquey drive characteristics of turbo diesel, that’ll be enough for some people to put a large Aussie made car in their driveway instead of an import. Whatever it costs.
If our locals “don’t bother” then there’s a very good chance that an increasing number of punters “won’t bother” buying them. It’s already started.
As for Toyota, well, their customers are buying huge numbers of a 4 cylinder car that has slightly worse fuel economy than the same car with a V6. They march to a drum they know the sound of.
yes Golf,
but the real world figures of a falcon can be 8L/100k too dont forget. thats why we always talk in reference to the official figures in such exercises meaning you only drop 2L/100k
i still dont see the benefit of throwing it in a falcon. the current falcon motor has torque on tap above and beyond what the equivalent Jap diesels have so the torquey argument is out of the question.
i can understand it in the ford territory though as it would represent a bit more of a sizable saving but still not the aussie sedans.
and your last comment……….
yep i still cant figure that out either