Rush to name our ute

Holden waiting to hear Pontiac decision.

More than 18,000 eager Americans have joined the cheer squad for the Holden Commodore ute.

They have each lodged an entry in a contest run by Pontiac to decide the American name for the Australian export hero.

The ute tag used at home was rejected because it means nothing in the USA, where everyone talks about pick-ups.

The VE ute was unveiled at the New York Auto Show earlier this year as the newest member of the Pontiac G8 family, joining the four-door sedan and perhaps pointing to a potential American expedition by the latest Commodore Sportwagon.

It was displayed in the Big Apple wearing a simple Sport Truck tag.

But Pontiac wanted something special for the work-and-play G8 and began a 'name the baby' contest.

It has run for nearly two months and the result should be announced within a fortnight.

"We were were overwhelmed by the more than 18,000 unique names submitted, and it's taking a bit longer than we anticipated to get through the trademarking process," Pontiac spokesperson, Debbie Frakes, told CARSguide.

GM Holden is also waiting to hear the result, after originally hoping the Commodore ute would be taken up by Chevrolet as a born-again El Camino.

It has yet to hear the result of the competition and is also waiting for the word from Pontiac.