Parading Ute Beauties

Newcastle Herald

Wednesday April 9, 2008

IF it's true that Australia has risen to

prominence on the sheep's back then

it?s probably just as true that a good few

of the farmers involved got to the paddock

in a ute.

Certainly there is no denying the

important role the humble ute has

played in Australia?s rural history.

The story dates back to 1932 when

what was then known as the utility truck

or the coupe utility was first rolled out of

the Ford factory in Geelong.

It?s widely believed that the design

resulted from a suggestion made by a

woman.

She wanted a vehicle with the versatility

to get the family to church on Sunday

and then take the pigs to market on

Monday.

Once available, the ute became a

farm fixture and other manufacturers

took it on.

So popular has the all-purpose

machine become that its owners have

become competitive.

Ute shows and ute musters are held

around the country.

Now there is a plan to sell the Aussie

icon into the American motor vehicle

market.

The Holden ute and a high-performance

sedan will be exported to the US

under the relaunched

Pontiac badge and will be

called the G8 sport truck

and G8 GXP respectively.

Production of the vehicles

will take place at GM

Holden's Elizabeth plant

in South Australia and is

planned to begin in the

second half of next year.

The vehicles are

expected to hit US showrooms

in late 2009.

The Beaut Ute Show is

on the program this year

at the Newcastle Show.

Cash and prizes are

offered in 10 categories

? best street ute, rural

ute, feral ute, chick's

street ute, 4WD ute, NBS ute, trade ute,

old school ute, most impressive bullbar

and best overall champion.

Finalists will be judged on April 13

? just before the Grand Ute Parade.

© 2008 Newcastle Herald

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