But they both share the same drawback (at least if we're talking about a regular-cab Silverado) - they lack secure storage, and they lack the ability to comfortably carry more than two people. This is the reason why the sales of extended-cab and crew-cab trucks have boomed for private owners, and frankly, I just don't see there being a whole lot of buyers for an El Camino.

I'd rather see a proper RWD wagon in GM's line-up, but my desire for that is probably just as weird as yours for a car-truck

 

Actually I love both and we may get both as the Holden wagon is under consideration as a Pontiac.

 

I completely agree with Eric! We both have large sedans and trucks. In order to secure the average load in a truck bed the owner must buy additional parts from the aftermarket. Very few trucks have bed covers as standard equipment. My est cab 05 silverado has room in the backseat to fit 3 adults... in a pinch. Until recently the rear side windows were a bit of a pain and could not be opened from the driver's seat. There are many times that I wish that I would've bought an Avalanche or crew cab, but my truck gets better gas mileage than either of those. It is still very large and does not handle all that well.

I miss the low driving position, handling, power to weight ratio, and gas mileage of a car, but often need the utility of a truck bed or something similar. The Dodge Magnum has been VERY temping since it was introduced. I miss the old Caprice wagon! The closest thing to what I want from GM is the Trailblazer SS, but those aren't cheap.

 

They should totally make an avalanche styled Crew Ute... locking bed cover with the ability to extend the bed into the back seat...

 

"The Dodge Magnum has been VERY temping since it was introduced."

Hmm....




NAHH!

 

Er... I'm fairly sure "El Camino" means "The highway"... fwiw

Actually I bought a Tahoe for those exact reasons. I can haul lumber and cement one day with the seats down, and a car load of kids the next. (Believe me, I do haul lumber and cement in it.)

I see your point though. Before I had the Tahoe and after I sold my truck, I hauled a lot of stuff around in my Camaro that I'd have rather had a truck for.

For that purpose the Ute serves the individual that wants a performance car and a truck, but cannot afford both. While that may be a huge market down under, I don't think it is the case here in the States. That's why for the Ute to be successful here, it would almost have to be labled "El Camino" to capture sales from the enthusiasts.

 

I don't think El Camino carries the same historical weight as GTO (or is even close). In fact, I'd guess there's a good number of people that have a negative picture in their head when they hear "El Camino." I'm not quite sure there's a market for it even.

There are plenty of non-off-roading trucks out there, but people still like them to look tough and off-road-ready. If you think the car drivability is the strong suit, then you're talking about the mountain of crossover vehicles already available. If muscle is the angle, well, I think you're dividing a one niche into an even smaller one. Why not just get a Camaro?

Comparisons come up to the SSR and disputed because they are different cars, but I really don't think you'd have anymore buyers for an El Camino than an SSR, even if it's half the SSR's price.

 

Can AWD be added to the Ute?

How about replacing the GMC Canyon with the Holden Crewman.

 

It'll sell twice the volume of the SSR without breaking a sweat. An El Camino can actually be useful, unlike the SSR which was pure toy.

 

Bringing this thing over is a mistake. I can not remember one car person I know saying "I would kill for a new El Camino". On the other hand, you have people who would kill for a Camaro, GTO, Challanger. Take the El Camino name away, and there goes and brand equity and history. Basically, you have a large car that only seats two people...and has a bed that you can't really haul in. Only reason I could think it was cool back in the day is that you could have truck utility without the nasty truck ride of 20-30 years ago. Now you can buy an Avalanche that driver as easy as a big sedan, and will carry 5 around in luxury, while filling any truck need a family has. Honestly, when I was a kid I always thought El Caminos were weird looking when I saw them.

GTO did not sell because it was impractical as a daily driver for a family. If you had small kids, it is impossible to get a car seat in the back, if you has big kids, they bitched about getting the back. I also think the trunk turned a lot of people off. We leave the GTO home whenever we do any shopping or traveling because you cannot fit anything in it. When wives have the veto card in families, things like trunk space and rear seat access are important. The relegated the car to being bought either as a) a third car, or b) by young males, or young couples with no kids.

That being said, the UTE is even more useless..because it has no backseats. Most people will need back seats and a trunk before they need a bed. Lastly, the other thing that has changed from 20-30 years ago is that most families already have a truck or crossover already that can handle any hauling needs.

If they import the Ute and name it El Camino, it will be a niche vehicle that will sell on the level of the SSR. A few hard core El Camino fans will buy it, and that's about it. Not because it is bad car...but because there will be many other more compelling options on the market. I don't see many people here turning down a New Camaro, GTO, G8, Impala for an El Camino. Taking it a step future, if they take the El Camino name away and name it a Pontiac or GMC, you kill heritage card. If you do that, you might as well not bother...it simply will not sell.


That being said...I want a new GTO with the proper trunk, and flip down back seats of the G8. That WILL sell.

 

How...we a bed cover it's the exact same thing as the SSR...just on a lighter duty car platform? Without a bed cover, you have no place to secure anything. Only thing it would have on the SSR is price. That ebing said...even if the SSR is cheaper..I am not sure it would sell better.

 

Dear Lord. Someone note how the planets are aligned. Branden and I are in complete agreement.

 

The Avalanche is still a truck. The Ute is still a car. I think there is a world of difference in driving characteristics between the two.

Also, another big difference between the two would be price. You can't touch an Avalance for under $35k. If they brought the Ute here, I would think that it would start around 25k.

The Ute is not more useless than a GTO. The GTO has no trunk. At least with the Ute, you can haul things in the bed or attach a small trailer.

Yes, the disadvantage with the Ute is the lack of rear seats. That's why it would be a 2nd car. When you need to haul the family or friends, then take the primary car.

I think the Ute is perfect for the guy that needs a commuter that has decent fuel mileage, and wants something fun to drive. He can't afford or doesn't have the room for a 3rd vehicle, but he also needs a vehicle with some utility for weekend projects or to haul the toys (ATVs, dirt bikes, jet skis).

 

What you are missing is most people already have a truck or SUV and use it as a family vehicle...which was not the case 20-30 years ago. Back then, the El Camino had a place because trucks rode like crap and were basically used for work. Now is much different. Most families have some kind of Truck/SUV as the main family hauler, a 4 door sedan, and if they are well off, maybe a third fun car. I can't see anyone in their right mind replacing either of the three mentioned above with a UTE like vehicle unless they were attached to the El Camino's history. 2 seat coupes never sell in decent numbers unless they are named Corvette. Even the Corvette only sells 30K units a year.

You can attach a trailor to a GTO also. The turnk in the GTO fine as long as your not hauling a lot of luggage, or a heavy duty shopping. But it is also my fun spory car...I have a truck I take to best buy to buy a TV or whatever.

As I said before, Most families I know own an SUV/truck, and 4 door sedan. I do not see either being replaced with an El Camino..it just does not make sense to most families. If you already ahve a truck...and wanta sporty car as a second car...you will buy a G8 in the same showroom.

I would love to see an ATV in a Ute....especially if it looks anything like a Ridgeline with one. I am sure it can be done but it is not pleasent. There are enough trucks out there that most people who have a use for one have them. Also I beleive that regular cab trucks are like less than 5% of total production now. So lets look at this from a straight up perspective. No one any more buys regular cab trucks because they are too small. Two door cars are a tough sell, and two seat cars are an even tougher sell. I don't think combining the slowest selling bodystlye truck with the slowest selling body style car is a recipe for success.

I am sure there are El Camino enthusiasts out there who love the idea and will preorder one at $7K over sticker. The GTO had the same thing on a larger scale. That being said, after the enthusiasts make their purchases based on emotions, this thing has to stand on it's desirability and usefulness...which I think will doom it. I will go on record as saying that the UTE will fail in America on a greater level than the GTO.

GM will be hard pressed to find people who will turn down a Camaro, G8, GTO (maybe), rwd Impala for an El Camino. I am really hard pressed to believe that the El Camino community is so big and hard core that they will bash GM for putting a Chevy nose on the UTE. I really can't think of anything specific to the El Camino that the UTE does not have design wise. Also, if you don't name it El Camino and loose the heritage card it will sell even less.

I would like a Wagon G8 though

 

I agree this is not a family car. It has been pointed out that this is a vehicle more targeted towards young single men. The million dollar question is whether enough there are many buyers out there that want the mix of compromises of the Ute... You are trading a rear row of seats for a bed. Which are you more likely to need? For most people I bet it's the seats. A sporty sedan will end up being more "sporty" than a ute as well if that is a buyer priority. I agree that the typical truck is comfortable enough nowadays for casual drivers although they are less than sporty.

I suppose time will tell.