Why do it now? Why do this when Zeta is gunna be here soon, and everyone is going over to the new platform? I dont understand rushing the Ute here, only to get the same chassis, and something we can build here in the US. I would love to see the Ute here, if it came over with the GTO last year.
And wouldnt the Ute be LS2 powered now? that would make for one solid truck, and something to give the SRT10 a run for its money. As much as I would like to see the Ute come here, I think that it would just be easier to wait for Zeta and bypass all this politcal stuff and make our own.

 

But volume would be an issue. Why tool up a factory for 1 low volume car when GM already have another factory with the required tooling? It doesn't make finacial sense and i'm pretty sure guionM will tell you it will come out of Australia if you get it at all.

guionM also stated that GM could have the Ute in the US within 12 months, but in 12 months from now Holden will have about 6-8 months tops left to run on the current chassis before Zeta. I really don't think they would even bother with such a short model life span, it doesn't make finacial sense again.

As soon as Zeta arrives the Ute should follow soon after. It might be a good idea to remember when the long wheel base of the v-body was released it was about 2(1.5 maybe? i can't remember) years after the commodore on the standard platform was released. If Holden do the same again to buy themselves some time the next Ute might be a little longer after Zeta.

On the FTA, it look certain to pass through the gov. BUT the opposition party wants 2 admendments before they let it pass. One the gov. will grant, the second they wont. With an election coming later this year neither party wants to cave in and look week, so it looks like it will have to wait until as late as november unless they can agree. It will pass tho, sooner or later.......

 

Either way, it doesnt seem as we will see this any time soon. Im sure GM could make the Ute as part of another Zeta car and keep costs down.

 

Yeah, I know. I was boosting the idea of importing the Cross-8 concept shortly after it premiered

 

As crYnOid pointed out, it's already being made in Australia. The "Chevrolet" front end & badges are already in production for exported Holden made sedans. Finally, whatever different materials were used for the US GTO will carry right over to the UTE with no changes.

In short, the investment to make the ElCamino is actually & genuinely ZERO short of marketing, advertising, and a boat ride.

Also worth noting is that it seems Holden will be producing the UTE for a period of time after the new Zeta chassis comes out. Ford did that with their UTE last round. In short, don't expect the current Holden UTE to simply disappear or immediately be replaced when the current cars are replaced.

My prediction was the El Camino would be here within 12 months of the agreement being passed. I'd say 12 months is the longest since all the work is done and what's needed is already in place. Could be shorter.

 

So, you are saying we will se the Ute in less than a year?

Whats the Curb weight on the Ute?