Isuzu Ute One Year On

Imagine launching a new brand and company right as the Global Financial Crisis (GFC) was about to start, that’s what Isuzu Ute had to deal with in Australia for the last 12 months.

Isuzu Ute, which sells the D-Max range of light-commercial utes has survived the toughest times and is ready to expand its market share.

In [...]

Isuzu D-Max Ute Limited Edition

It’s been exactly one year since Isuzu Ute launched in Australia and it that time the brand has grown from having only 38 dealers to 62 as of this month. With only one model on the market Isuzu is expecting to finish 2009 with over 3,000 sales.

To celebrate its one year anniversary, Isuzu Ute Australia [...]

Ford Falcon XR6 Turbo Ute Review & Road Test

The Paris Hilton of Utes: so wrong, but oh so right.

Model Tested:

2009 Ford Falcon XR6 Turbo Ute; 4.0-litre, six-cylinder, turbo petrol; six-speed automatic; utility – $43,490*

Options Available:

Prestige Paint $400 (Dash); Safety Enhancement Pack $600; XR Sports Pack $1000; Satellite Navigation $2290

Gob-smacking acceleration; fuel consumption; cabin space
Load carrying capacity; handling; ESC calibration
CarAdvice Rating:
What [...]

Holden launches new Divisional Van for Victoria Police

Following an intensive 12 month program to developing a safer, more reliable division van for the Victoria Police Force, Holden has joined forces with Bellmont Nominees to build this latest model.

Based on the recently released Model Year 10 (MY10) VE Commodore Omega Ute, the new divisional van features six airbags in the passenger compartment [...]

Holden Commodore Ute gets six airbags

Holden will achieve another Australian safety first this month by launching the first Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV) to offer six airbags as standard across the range.

Holden’s MY10 Commodore Ute will introduce side impact and curtain airbags as standard equipment on all Ute models.
The entire MY10 VE and WM range, including Ute, also receives a [...]

Holden Commodore LPG Ute Review & Road Test

Holden’s take on Australia’s cheap fuel – LPG.

Model Tested:

2009 Holden Commodore Omega LPG Ute; 3.6-litre, six-cylinder, dual fuel; four-speed automatic; utility – $36,890*

Options:

Metallic Paint $500 (Fitted – Nitrate Metallic); Six CD Stacker $595;

LPG integration; value for money; styling
Power and torque; automatic transmission
CarAdvice Rating:
By Paul Maric

When it comes to tools of the trade, [...]

Proton Jumbuck – Long Term Update

“Three months and all’s well for our long-term Jumbuck”
The Jumbuck has virtually become the CarAdvice mascot since joining us in late May with just about everyone in the Melbourne office having rotated through the car for a few weeks each.
Despite the almost universally preconceived notion that each of us has had before getting behind the [...]

Proton Jumbuck – Long Term Update

2009 Proton Jumbuck GLSi – Long Term Update

“It’s odd, but I’m becoming quite attached to the little Jumbuck”
- by Matt Brogan
If someone had told me eight weeks ago that I’d grow rather attached to our long-term Proton Jumbuck then they may have been met with a rather snide “yeah right”. Funnily enough the little utility’s [...]

Ford FG Falcon RTV a sure bet

While the outgoing RTV ute wasn’t a runaway success, it did sell in numbers to the type of people after a Falcon with extra ground clearance.
The good news for ute lovers is that the RTV will make a return in FG guise.

2009 Ford Ranger previewed

Ford Australia has today announced details of its updated PK Ranger models, which it says aims to couple muscular performance with visual excitement.

Perhaps the most noticeable design cue comes in the form of Ranger’s bold new front-end styling. A distinctive horizontal three-bar grille embossed with RANGER lettering, functional twin black vertical nostrils, an extended opening [...]