Holden ute to the USA

The homegrown Holden ute is almost certain to follow in the tyre tracks of its Commodore sedan stablemate and be exported to North America.

The Commodore will be sold in the US from next year as a performance sedan and now it seems the ute will follow soon after. Reports out of the US claim that General Motors has renewed the trademark of the El Camino name, an iconic car-based Chevrolet pick-up sold between 1959 and 1977.

The classic 1970s El Camino has earned recent notoriety in the hit TV series, 'My Name Is Earl' and North American enthusiasts have longed for a revival of the iconic model. The Holden ute was supposed to be exported to North America in 2009 -- all re-engineering work was completed and the car was even unveiled by rapper 50 Cent at the New York Motor Show as a Pontiac.

But that deal ended before exports could begin because the brand was folded in the wake of the Global Financial Crisis. Holden spokesman Sean Poppitt told News Limited: "We haven't made a decision on the next generation ute or its presence in export markets outside Australia.

"However there is the free trade agreement between the US and Australia which means we are not precluded from selling Australian-made light commercial vehicles in the US market." Foreign pick ups and utes rarely make it onto North American soil because they are subject to a 25 per cent import tariff. The US and Australia FTA means there is no tariff barrier.

The US website GM Authority reports that the Chevrolet El Camino trademark was renewed on August 9, 2012. "Any speculation on the trademarking of the El Camino name is just that: speculation. However we are keeping our options open," the Holden spokesman said.