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Originally Posted by WildBillyT
Why wouldn't it cost GM money? They may already make the parts but they need to figure out how to put them together in a US approved package (which if I remember correctly was the problem with the GTO). And most importantly, if they spend time and resources to bring this here and nobody buys it, then they lose money.
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The Ute, along with all the VE cars were built in mind for export to everywhere, including the US and Europe.
The GTO/Monaro was not. They had to put the gas tank in the trunk and bigger bumpers.
Acctually, if there was ANY of teh old VZ Holden cars that couldhave made it to the US with the least amount of modifications, it was the Ute. The Ute already had the gas tank relocated for US rear crash standards, and all it needed was the new 5mph bumpers. Only problem that held it back was the 25% tariff on trucks imported into the US.
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I distinctly remember an issue of Car Craft from 2001 (adressing the Monaro) where they said "bring it to the US and call it a GTO" and everybody on the forums was getting their nuts off about how cool it was, but nobody bought it. I can see the same thing happening with the Ute. Everybody thinks its cool and that they would totally drive one but when it comes time to order one the buyers are few and far between. If people wanted a truck like this then why didn't the SSR sell better?
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The SSR was priced over 40k. It was also a novelty, and designed to sell at very low numbers. It was built in a non-GM plant, by ASC the same people who made the convertable third gens.
The SSR was useless as a truck, and lacked the performance. On top of that, dealers were marking it up beyond Corvette prices. It sold a few thousand units a year, probably what the Ute would.
The Ute offers a better package. It has a usefull bed, not one that is coverd in fabric. It has a lower stance, better handling, and is much lighter then the SSR.
The G8 ST will sell the few thousand units theybring to teh US. It will be more usefull then a standard coupe, and still give the performance to those looking for it.