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A ute ( ), originally an abbreviation for "utility" or "coupé utility", is a term used in Australia and New Zealand to describe vehicles with a tonneau behind the passenger compartment, that can be driven with a regular driver's licence.
Traditionally, the term referred to vehicles built on passenger car chassis and with the cargo tray integrated with the passenger body (coupé utility vehicles). However, present-day usage of the term "ute" in Australian English and New Zealand English has expanded to include any vehicle with an open cargo area at the rear, which would be called a pickup truck in other countries.
In the 21st century, the term has become more broadly used, for any vehicle with a cargo tray at the rear (which would be called a pickup truck in other countries).
Ford Australia was the first company to produce an Australian Coupe ute, which was released in 1934. This was the result of a 1932 letter from the unnamed wife of a farmer in Australia asking for "a vehicle to go to church in on a Sunday and which can carry our pigs to market on Mondays". In response, Ford designer Lewis Bandt designed a two-door body with a tray at the rear for the American Ford Model A chassis, and the model was named "coupe utility". When the Australian version was displayed in the US, Henry Ford nicknamed it the "Kangaroo Chaser". A convertible version, known as the roadster utility was produced in limited numbers by Ford in the 1930s.
In 1951, Holden released a "utility" model, which was based on the 48–215 sedan. With both Ford and Holden now producing utes, this started the long-standing tradition of Australian-designed two-door vehicles with a tray at the back, based on a passenger-car sedan chassis.
High performance utes were also sold in Australia, including the FPV F6 and the HSV Maloo. The 2017 HSV GTSR Maloo is powered by a supercharged V8 engine producing .
The Australian V8 Utes is a racing series based on lightly modified production Holden and Ford utes.
The Greens party in Victoria has called for increased registration fees for American-sized pickup trucks in bid to deter people from buying them. Concerns exist around the suitability of such vehicles to Australian roads and parking infrastructure, the safety of other parties in pedestrian and multi-vehicle crashes, and the lower emissions standards that apply to heavy vehicles. Many American pick-ups weigh more than 3.5t, which classes them as Medium Goods (NB) vehicles, which are only required to comply with ADR 80/04 (based on Euro VI) rather than ADR 79/05 (based on Euro 6).
Utes produced by Ford in Australia:
In addition, the Ford Ranger (T6) was designed by Ford Australia, but built elsewhere. It was the second best selling new car in Australia in 2019 and 2020.
In 2008, the VE Commodore Ute was proposed to be exported to North America as the Pontiac G8 ST. At least one prototype was built, but GM did not proceed with production due to the 2008 financial crisis.
Utes produced by Holden or its parent company General Motors in Australia:
Holden also sells rebadged utes produced elsewhere. They include:
Toyota currently sells a ute variant of the Toyota Land Cruiser (J70). In 2011, the Toyota Hilux was Australia's highest-selling ute.
From 1979 to 2004, Volkswagen sold the Volkswagen Caddy, a pickup based upon the Volkswagen Golf platform.
Cultural impact
Australia has developed a culture around utes, particularly in rural areas with events known as . It is common, particularly in rural areas, to customise utes in the "B&S style" with , spotlights, oversized , exhaust pipe flaps and UHF aerials. Since 1998, the "Deni Ute Muster" has been held in the town of Deniliquin, which has become a major attraction for the area.
American models
Ford, Ram and Chevy import their full-size and full-size heavy duty (dually) pickup trucks to Australia. They partner up with local vehicle remanufacturers to convert them to right-hand drive. The customer may option their pickup truck to be de-rated so that it can be driven on a regular Australian car licence (max GVM of ), instead of needing to get a truck licence.
Australian models
Ford
The ute variant of the Ford Falcon was produced from 1961 to 2016. For the first 38 years of production, the design used a coupe ute style, but with the introduction of the 1999 AU Falcon, the Falcon ute switched to a cargo bed that is separate from the cabin, while still retaining the Falcon sedan front-end and cabin. The cargo bed was separated so that both "utility" and "cab chassis" body styles could be produced together.
Holden
From 1951 to 1968, the "utility" was sold as part of the Holden Special model ranges. From 1968 to 1984 the "utility" was included in the Holden Kingswood range. In 1984, Holden discontinued the ute variant and it was not part of the VB to VL Commodore ranges. The model returned in 1990 based on the VN Commodore chassis and remained part of the model range until Australian production ended in 2017. In 2000, the Holden Commodore was the first Australian ute to feature independent rear suspension, the Ford Falcon ute retained a live axle rear suspension design until production ended in 2016.
Chrysler
Models:
British Leyland
Models:
Hillman
Models:
Asian models
Isuzu
Isuzu sells the Isuzu D-Max in Australia. Previously, this vehicle was sold rebadged as the Holden Rodeo.
Kia
Kia Tasman is an mid-size ute produced by South Korean manufacturer Kia from 2025.
Mazda
Mazda has sold the Mazda BT-50 in Australia since 2006.
Mitsubishi
Mitsubishi has sold the Mitsubishi Triton in Australia since 1978. In 2019, it was the fifth-best selling new car in Australia.
Nissan
Between 1971 and 2008, Nissan sold the Nissan Sunny Truck as a ute in Australia. Since 1985, Nissan has sold the Nissan Navara pickup-style ute in Australia.
Proton
Between 2002 and 2010, the Proton Arena was sold in Australia as a ute.
Subaru
Subaru produced the Subaru Subaru BRAT, a small AWD model derived from the second generation Subaru Leone. It was sold between 1978 and 1993 and known as the BRAT, Shifter, MV, and Targa in countries other than Australia. It is relatively well known due to its long production life and use in popular culture. It was built in Japan, but never sold there.
Suzuki
From 1983 to 1988, Suzuki built a ute version of their Suzuki Alto kei car called the Mighty Boy. It was sold in Japan, Australia, and Cyprus.
Toyota
Between 1960 and 1970, Toyota sold a ute variant of the second- and third-generation Toyota Corona with an integral bed. It was sold alongside its eventual replacement, the Toyota Hilux, for a couple of years before it was discontinued. Toyota also sold a locally produced knock-down kit ute based on the second- and third-generation Toyota Crown (also known as S40 and S50), assembled by Australian Motor Industries.
European models
Mercedes-Benz
Between 2017 and 2020, the Mercedes-Benz X-Class was sold in Australia. It used the chassis of the Nissan Navara.
Volkswagen
Volkswagen has sold the Volkswagen Amarok, a pickup-style ute, since 2010.
See also
Bibliography
External links
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