Aussie ute days may be numbered

Ford has already announced the end of the Falcon ute, along with the entire Australian-made range, at the end of 2016. Holden has just launched its VF Commodore range, including a Sportwagon and ute, but there is no certainty the ute has a long future either.

The VF Commodore will continue until a new model is introduced at the end of 2016. Holden has disclosed there will be a new Commodore but only a select few within Holden and General Motors know what it is, whether it is a large car, medium sedan or crossover vehicle and whether it will be rear-drive or switch to a cheaper and more efficient front-drive set-up.

Holden had hoped to boost ute sales by exporting it to the US but GM president Mike Reuss has told Carsguide the business case just didn't stack up for the load hauler. The Holden and Falcon utes have been beaten up by Thai-built one-tonners such as the Toyota HiLux, Ford Ranger and Holden Colorado, which are more civilised than before and have crew cab convenience.

Falcon ute sales have dropped to a monthly average of just 352 so far this year, according to Vfacts, a far cry from the 1500-odd monthly sales it registered a decade ago. The Holden ute isn't doing much better, averaging 452 a month, well down on the 1200 tallied 10 years ago.