Yee-Hah!

The general is bringing back the favorite ride of the hicks and the spics.

Bloody hell! It's that bloody Holden again!

Let's name it the Holden SS V-Series Utility (or Ute).

I think I just barfed.

Jesus crap, they can make this but they can't come up with a G8 coupe?

STUPID STUPID STUPID

"The 2010 Pontiac G8 sport truck blurs the line between cars and trucks and is creating an all-new segment in the North American car market."

Whoever wrote this press release is either 14 years old and doesn't remember the El Camino, or smokes large volumes of pot and simply forgot the 70's and 80's. "Grave-robbing an old segment" is more like it.

Thankfully for GM all they had to do was rework the Holden a little for the States, because i don't think there will be a stampede to the local Pontiac house for one of these. Maybe offering free mullets and sleeveless flannel shirts will help move 'em off the floor.

C'mon GM, you're making a few vehicles that people in the States want to drive again, don't pork the job now.

Awesome! dude, we could spend 30K for this, take it to my Pa Pa's dried out creek bed and take it off some sweet jumps! and then, take it to Home depot, buy some lumber, and still have room in the back to pick up some mexicans to help build our deck!

How about the "EL G8"

Most El Caminos I've encountered are pretty unattractive. However, I have seen a restored first-design El Camino that was pretty decent. When I read the headline "G8 Sports Truck" I was sure I would hate it, but it actually doesn't look bad - if you like small trucks and you like them lowered, this might be a pretty good alternative. With a body-color cap for use when not hauling, it would be OK.

For those who enjoy using redneck stereotypes (which for some reason seems to be the only hateful stereotype that is acceptable in this day and age), you might be surprised to discover that (around here at least) they generally seem to prefer a somewhat bigger (compared to the G8 ST) truck with bigger tires and significant offroad capability.

I personally am not a big fan of trucks (not the looks, not strictly the MPG, I just prefer a different ride and handling), but this is more of a car at heart. If I needed something to occasionally haul stuff around I'd either buy something like this, or a small SUV. Personally I think this may not be as attactive or practical as some of the small SUVs, but it also would probably be a very fun car to drive, if the G8 GT is any indication.

"Jesus crap, they can make this but they can't come up with a G8 coupe?"

I'm tempted to use one of those unacceptable non-redneck stereotypes here, but I'm usually a nice guy, so I'll show a little restraint. Where were you when they were trying to sell the underrated GTO? Poor late-model GTO. Perhaps it looked too foreign for the old GTO fans to accept, and not foreign enough for the import crowd. Too bad, it really was a decent looking car and a good performer.

Um....SSR anybody? How long did that last? Sigh, this has got to be one of the most useless "segments" (if you can call it that) that has ever been created. With 1000 and 3500 lb carry and tow limits, you'll never have a real world reason to NEED the cargo area of THIS particular vehicle. A Tahoe with the seats down can hold more. If you're haulin' something so tall that you need an open bed you might as well be driving a Silverado/Sierra (staying in the GM realm here). This is absolutely ridiculous and a waste of resources.

But hey, I guess the gangstas and ol' country boys are gonna need somethin' to drive in 30 years. So pick one up during the 3 years they make it, and then sell it for 10x the value to a big rapper in 2038.

@Krazeee:

That is exactly what I was thinking. The SSR had even more power and capability, but it failed miserably.

However, I think you are overestimating the needs of the average user. 1000lb capacity is plenty, that takes home a fridge or big screen TV from Best Buy just fine, and don't tell me that 20 2x4's weigh more than 1000lbs. As to towing, most Bass Boats (the most commonly pulled boat I see behind half ton trucks) don't weigh more than one ton, only 2000 lbs. Hell I have a Triton boat at my dads place, it says on the sticker that it weighs only 1800lbs.

Anything bigger than 25 feet will need more capacity, which is what a Colorado or Tacoma is for.

As for waste of resources I still agree on that: if they sell more than 2000 units I'll be impressed. Still, if they had some Holden inventory lying around not selling, I could see that as why this would happen.

it'll last as long as the aztek

Perfect for American Tractor Mind Set...the most retarded thing i have seen in the last 5 years.

perfect GM boardroom nonsense:

1. Big pick-ups are out.
>>> lets give them small ones
2. Lets not invest money
>>> lets check the global parts bin.... heeeeyy Holden
3. Lets not look at the exchange rates (A$ US$)
>>> yeah lets not do that
4. Lets not check if anyone wants one
>>> yeah, that costs money

The exciting news is that GM is allowing one lucky consumer the chance to name the new vehicle. From March 15 - April 15 consumers can visit www.pontiac.com/namethiscar and submit their name ideas (like El Camino).

So exiting, i was almost wetting my pense.

I call it El Kangaroo

the front is too G8tish for this car to be called El Camino. Overall it looks like a Frankenstein's splice of two cars sawed in half. Revise the front end heavily, add a grossly overpowered V8 into an SS version and I'll go try to find a reason why would I need a pickup while learning to drink Bud Light.

Let us hope that this pick-up can make go back up the sales of the brand in resentment with the g8.
Morever, the pick-up brand will be back on the market.
It also allows to make réssuciter the myth of the pick-up El Camino which we did not see any more for years.

It reminds me of those cheap flexible slip-on shoes you can get at walmart. This car has got to be the worse excuse for a vehicle that i've ever seen. GM must of saw the Subaru Baja and thought "oh, wow, that looks like it has potential to be successful".

G'day all,
Don't just poohoo it straight away, these things fly. The Commodore ute as we call it has been around for years and the Holden ute has been around for almost 60 years.
With a hard cover on the tray these are a 2 door cope with a massive boot or trunk as you call them. You can use these to haul your trailbikes to whereever you want to go ad still have a nice comfortable car like ride. These are also very popular here in Australia for the show pony image.

BUT remember this take the standard power of the G8 GT (Commodore SS) with less weight as the ute does weigh less and look at the speed and torque. Over here you can temporarily disable the esp and traction control on them to have a bit of show fun.

What an impressive ...................... disaster.

Remember that Cadillac pick-up that BOMBED a few years ago ? Pretty much the same thing will happen here.

Unbelievable.

This truck will be successful......and they even offer it in
a 6 speed?????

There are literally hundreds of thousands of men in their fortys
fifties and sixties and beyond who have fond memories of
the great utility vehicle that was the El Camino. The idea
of half car half hauler is something that was successful for
over 3 decades, and GM ruled it......This can be documented by how much money the mid 80's restored Elkies are bringing......

The thing that made the SSR such a flop was GM forgot
who the guys were who made the EC successful.....they
were not people hell bent on buying a nostalgia body style
with a 55K sticker price!!

This vehicle will sell and sell well if they keep it under 30K
and my only hope is that it won't sell worth crap, because
then I can go and maybe get one in the low to mid 20's.....

I think it's one of the smartest moves GM has made in a while
and my prediction is, you'll see Chevy throw a little hissy
about them not having one, and we'll see a Chevy version
with a Malibu front end and maybe a 5.3 instead of a 6.0
for 5 grand less.......now that WILL sell.....!!

wat about sportscoupe

That front half looks awesome. :D

Turn the the traction control off and it may make a great drift car. The SSR was no failure it was created as limited run and has incredible re-sale value to this day. Makes a very classy tailgater.

I love all the yanks here comparing this to the SSR. You might just be forgetting a couple of things. It was a pisspoor faux-retro "styling" job that ended up looking porky and dog ugly. Not to mention you couldn't carry much more than a pencil case and Chebby's are typically made with build quality and attention to detail that wouldn't pass muster in the cheapest taiwanese sweatshops.

But it ain't American so I guess it must be crap. Just like foreign foods eh?

You people don't get it, do you? Think of it as a two-seater with an enormous cargo area. It drives like a car, not like a truck, and that's the beauty of it.

No market for it? Aussies buy tens of thousands of them every year...

I think it looks pretty sweet. Great sleeper grocery getter. I think they will sell more with a fuel efficient, peppy, 4 cylinder though.

So are they gonna go for another truck speed record???

"I think they will sell more with a fuel efficient, peppy, 4 cylinder though." They would sell more of a cheaper version regardless of what engine it has, yes. But no naturally aspirated 4 cyl has the grunt to move this thing around properly. Their turbo 2.0L ecotec would have about the right amount of punch, but even then your efficiency argument makes less sense with a heavier vehicle. Taller gears and/or higher RPMs are going to eat into efficiency, unless they want it to be a complete and utter dog.

Perhaps a better solution would be either an entry-level model with the 3.6L V6, or better yet a 5.3L V8.

Well paid blue-collar rednecks that would buy these cars are becoming a dying breed. There were many well paid union workers that could buy the El Camino and Camaro back in the 60's and 70's but not anymore.

not everyone need to haul 10000 pounds, i still dont get why we americans are so gung ho for big ass trucks, ive seen in other countries small little chevy pick ups based on a econo car dont remember the name, but those little things where hauling all kind of stuff really using the cargo area for work, not like most trucks i see around here.

ohh yeah if they only put a super charged 8 liter 16 cylinder engine in it i would buy it hahahaha

This sort of ute (truck) obviously has a negative stereotype associated with it in the US judging from these comments.
Where as over here in Aus they are quite popular. They do have a somewhat 'poser' image associated with them (in the same way as most sport/high performance cars do though), though this is not to say they they aren't bought for functionality either (not everyone needs a 2 tonne tray).

Most SUV's that come out now lack any sort of real off-road capability, since they sell so well in Urban areas, so why should all trucks have to be huge, off-roading vehicles? Consider this to be a truck that is following the urban / sealed roads only trend that SUV's have been going down.

Anyway with RWD, decent power and a light back end, they are a lot of fun to drive, hell we have have a (road) racing class for them over here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2QNpYnYo90

From what I've heard, the G8 did quite well over there, so I wouldn't write this off based on the El-Camino (then again, the huge utes such as the F-trucks don't sell particularly well over here by comparison)

I'm rambling now, but this style of truck hasn't only recently become popular in Australia, The Holden FJ ute made in 1953 is considered to be one of the iconic Australian vehicles:
http://www.holden.com.au//images/uploads/img_gallery_12.jpg

Redneckmobil

again we look to the past for our inspirations, rather copys of ideas that obviously didnt have mass appeal then nor will they now, a truck is a truck a sports sedan is a sports sedan, this thing is as appealing as soggy bread.

@Marco:

And other than to bang their women and steal their beer, most Americans want nothing to do with Australia.

@Allen:

You seem to have a really bad case of "America Obsession"...

@nellA:

I admit that, if this wasnt a similar concept to the Holden i would be complaining about the Donkey-Power/displacement, interiors, gas and oil, value, the irracionality, quality, towing capacity, etc, etc, etc, etc and etc (we "america obsessed" people are very imaginative at complaining against the usa).

Thats why deep deep inside we have an extreme irracional love for the USA...how else could we be "America Obsessed" if it wasnt for the USA??

PS - Notice how i turned the fact that its similar to the Holden into a "Arrogant Irgnorant Americans" thing by stating that americans care nothing for Australia except for "wimin" and beer!!!

Isnt that genious or what?! We "America Obsessed" people are extremely creative in our "America Obsession"...

Wow, very creative of someone to steal my name on this board and post in it. BTW, I'm tracking you now, your going to feel very hurt in the next few hours...

Allen, im deeply touched by your honesty, it is rare to see such an honest, simple and yet brilliant self-analysis about a mental obsession.

For those of you whom are concerned, I am in fact an American, I just hate American cars and the morons who build them.

BTW, nellA: you too.

C-O-U-P-E.

Why dont you just check out the Holden website. Remember the au at the end or go to General Motors world site and click on Holden the click on commercials then o Holden Ute. My direct link didnt get posted in my last so I have written it this way. Of course doing a internet search for VE Holden Ute will probably send you to it as well.
These are not redneck vehicle over here in Aus. They are a vehicle with a purpose for people who want a load carrier but also dont want to compromise or car like behaviour. Again think of it as a coupe with a massive boot (trunk).

I would like its name to be "El Camino", but then again it is a pontiac and has more G8 styling on it's front than it should have. At the same time, the name, "Sport Ute" does sound kind of CoRnY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!eeewww!!!!!!!!uuuhhh!!!!!!!!gggaaahhh!!!

To the Aussie audience (especially John):

I'm not putting down the El Camino and the fact that it sells well, and demographically is useful for you guys. If GM had brought it to America around the same time the new Mustang came out, it would have gotten a better reception.
Now there's simply too many retro vehicles on the road, and most poorly done. We just want an affordable, good, tight RWD coupe.

General Motors is getting their butt handed to them between Hyundai, Honda, and Toyota already. Why re-introduce a vehicle that was mostly puposeless then ?
Yes, it's a 2-door. Yes, it is a RWD with independent suspension. Yes, it has a V-8. And cheaper than the new Camaro. Those looking for a modern tuner will find it a bargain if they don't care that it's a Camino.

But, too little too late. If GM had brought a bunch of the Holden platforms to the US 4 years ago (leaving the bodywork alone !), they would be doing better. And the Ute would have gotten a better reception.

I've been peeking into Holden's site for years John. Dunno why GM and Ford continue to give us snooze-boxes (or the Aztec) year after year while they give the rest of the world your rides. (shakes fist in the air like an old guy)

"Dunno why GM and Ford continue to give us snooze-boxes (or the Aztec) year after year while they give the rest of the world your rides. (shakes fist in the air like an old guy) "

I don't really understand your point. You're saying that because they didn't release these cars when you think they should have, its too late and they shouldn't? But then on the other hand you lament how they have been giving us "snooze-boxes" and not the cars they've been giving the rest of the world. It seems to me that recently they've been bringing over successful designs from both their Australian and European branches. Yet because they didn't do it earlier, they shouldn't do it at all? Boy, they really just can't win.

@Trooper Bri:

You actually have a good point there, to the American market this must appear like yet another 'retro' / 'modern-take-on-an-old-classic' car, in a market that has just had that niche flooded.
Whereas from my (Aussie) point of view, this is simply the latest iteration in a line/style of vehicle that has been commonplace and nearly uninterrupted here for over 50 years.

If the SSR was so great, why are they not making it anymore?

I would have bought one if the price was anything near reasonable.

With the copy like this:

"The 2010 Pontiac G8 sport truck blurs the line between cars and trucks and is creating an all-new segment in the North American car market."

How can we even remotely believe anything GM says?

GM made the SSR to take on the retro market and test out sports compact trucks, and failed. The G8 "El Camino" sells well as the Ute in Australia because Australians have no style (ooo, yes I'm hurting for a good flame war), but in America people will look at the car and say "if you really needed to tow or haul something, why not buy a Colorado or Tacoma?"

Remember, most American's ideal car is a sofa with wheels, so a sporty hauler doesn't make sense. For those who do want fun to drive and cargo capacity, hatchbacks make way more sense (and sell way better than the SSR ever did).

Most Americans are going to avoid this car, simply because it screams "redneck" at the top of its lungs. To be a "redneck" is to be an absolutely distasteful, sorry excuse of a human being. Its to be an inbred, uneducated hick with no sense of style, decency, or intelligence. And if you are a redneck, there is no question that you are racist.

Are those all broad, sweeping generalizations? Yes, very much so. Just because someone has a rural drawl or lives in a tight nit family doesn't make them dumb or inbred. But, the sorry reality of America is that if you do have one of those, you have a chance greater than 50% chance of at least two more. And none of those combinations are positive.

Basically, Americans won't buy this car because it'd make them white trash. They'd instantly be considered un-environmentally conscious (V8's are going out of style faster than anything before them), and dumb (you can get meaningful cargo capacity in a hatch that gets far better mileage).

In Australia where you never got rednecks like we have you can get by with ugly, stupid cars. In America, you would kiss your social life and the chances of marrying anyone other than your sister good by driving this car.

Looks alright. If it has decent sales maybee it will inspire Ford to bring over the Falcon. I Have always been a fan of all the Ford Falcon models but because I live in the US I can only dream about driving one.

don't know much about this....
i think, it did not need that much power.
also...
many families have more than one vehicle..
they'll have a pickup-truck if they need it.

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I hope you realise if you want the coupe 60 to make its way over to the U.S. the American market will need to embrace the cars which are brought over otherwise GM will find its not viable. With the research GM has done they surely would have found that there is a market for a new style ute (sportstruck) in particular with your new regs coming that