i just wanted to know if we will be seeing the El Camino coming back. i know oversea they have the Lumina UTE, which could easily become the El Camino here in the states.
http://www.chevrolet.co.za/content_d.../1G/index.html
pics of the Lunmina UTE

 

That's Holden's Ute and yes, there is a VE-based one in development.

Bob Lutz would like to bring it here and thinks it would sell. I agree with him. But I don't think it's on GM NA's radar, which is a pity.

 

I know I've read many places that Bob Lutz is definately behind a new El Camino... but it's been a tough sell for him I think.

I guess in part because of the failure of the SSr, but that is very easily explained by it's enormous pricetag.

I think that the Ute is a gorgeous vehicle and I'd love to own one... just dunno that it's too important to GM right now to bring something like that here.

EDIT: Anyone hear that echo?

 

it would be cool to see it here.

I would definitely sport an older el camino


so long as they make it every bit as kick *** as that one!

 

Holden Ute was the 1st Holden vehicle Bob Lutz planned to bring over.

As a truck, it had a completely different set of standards regarding collision tests, and the fuel tank ahead of the rear axle meant it would pass any rear end collision. The fact it would have next to no impact on truck CAFE (the production numbers would be far too low to help) although it gets very good mileage for a "pickup" didn't hurt. To top it off, at the time a LS1 6 speed Ute ran the equivlent of just $22,000US.

The problem was we had a 25% tarriff on imported trucks. That sank the idea pretty fast. Monaro was the only one exported.

That tarriff was taken down with the US-Australia trade agreement last year. However, it's too late to bring the VZ Ute over as an El Camino, and Lutz and company is having a difficult time convincing others at GM of the need for one, although it would involve barely more than sending a few to the government for compliance testing (it's sold in the Middle East as left hand drive Chevrolets and the VE was made with US standards in mind).

There was some expectation there that the end run of VZ Utes would be exported to North America as El Caminos, but that idea now is pretty much dead.

If North America does decide on an El Camino, I'd expect it to show up here pretty quickly afterwards.

 

And I will place my order on the first day I can.

 

Yeah, I have always liked the Ute's. Fast, Sporty, Good Mileage, and a bed that is good enough for 90% of Americans.

 

I wonder if this would win truck of the year over the honda ridgeline

 

I'd love to see it. I can't see myself buying one (or any real new car for that matter save for the new Camaro) but it would be quite a kick *** car/truck. One of these days I wanna get a cheap old El Camino SS and get it done up right with a stout 350, black, lowered, and chrome wheels, much like the one posted above. Just sweet looking vehicles IMO.