Thread: The utlimate ute

Originally Posted by fonfe

Won't happen. Utes are very popular in Australia, fairly popular in some states of the US.....that's about it. Not a big enough market for em, would be one very expensive ute that wouldn't make them much money at all. Available as solid axle or independent is really pushing it, far too much cost just to please a hand full of people when looked at as a global market.
Just my opinion of course but you have to think about other countries that do use utes.....they use them as commercial vehicles so the import tax is a lot lower. Couldn't make a disco a commercial in they eyes of the tax man in a million years. The big money is in the RR brand, loads of them sold worldwide and still continuing to do so.

The "ute" (truck). Market in the US is huge, more than enough to justify a model just for that market.

It's not as big as you think.... Out of the top 10 vehicles sold in America last year only 3 were utes. Granted ford f series is still the top selling vehicle but its a known fact that ford would have crumbled in recent years had it not been for ford European sales propping them up.

The yank sold utes are also all yank cars.... Yank ute owners tend to be patriotic types so they don't buy jap Toyota or Nissan utes so its safe to say its doubtful that they would buy a british ute over their own made.

I used to work for a uk company that builds defenders from a bare chassis up for import to the states. Yes they pay top $ for them (around $90k+ depending on spec) but the market is very small in the grand scale of things.

To bring out something as drastic as a disco ute there is considerable tooling to consider, safety tests, marketing etc not to mention the disco still doesn't have a very good rep in America. Thinking it will have such drastic options as independent OR live axles is just wishing for far too much in my opinion

Originally Posted by AnD3rew

The "ute" (truck). Market in the US is huge, more than enough to justify a model just for that market.

Ute market in US is not "huge" enough for Jeep to make the DC Ute ,
Even they are a botique item for a specialist market

if you want one you pay 2x the price of a factory JK for a specialist company to build. American Expedition Vehicles - Brute Double Cab

The yanks will never go for a Disco 3-4-5 Ute , they are too in love with "built in USA"

If there is not a big market for ute why have VW made the Amarok ???

They sell the big pick up trucks in the hundreds of thousands in the snow belt states. High ground clearance is a must for snow and 4WD optional but nice to have. They also like lots of sheet metal and space around them for sliding into snow banks. Big power for towing big trailers is a US thing. I have a mate there who uses a 509 c.i. Chev suburban to tow an immense enclosed trailer with his two historic race cars inside with all their accoutrements and tows at the speed limit on the interstates. Try that with a little bitty European pick up.

There's a dual cab Disco 3 getting around Albany and it looks the goods, Its got a steel tray back with a set of lockable toolboxes and an ARB steel winch bar and a set of spotties (unknown brand) and a set of BFG All Terrains and a list of other gear and his other wagon is a Disco 3 as well. Lucky Bugger.

Originally Posted by Brian Hjelm

I have a mate there who uses a 509 c.i. Chev suburban to tow an immense enclosed trailer with his two historic race cars inside with all their accoutrements and tows at the speed limit on the interstates. Try that with a little bitty European pick up.

I would say my little 3.6 litre diesel engine would have a fair crack at that, probably while using a lot less fuel. They just need to fit that engine to a ute and the job is done.

Originally Posted by BigJon

I would say my little 3.6 litre diesel engine would have a fair crack at that, probably while using a lot less fuel. They just need to fit that engine to a ute and the job is done.

Trailer with two cars and gear is over 5 tons. Speed limit on much of the interstate network is 80 mph. The Suburban has six "captain's chairs" plus two removable in the cargo space. Each has individual HVAC controls. Does the job easily and comfortably. I don't think Bob is particularly worried about fuel economy. He has two Indianapolis roadsters, three M-B 300SL gull wings, one is a road racer, one salt flats racer, and one Sunday driver and show car.

I don't think many of the guys involved in USA historic racing would be worried about fuel costs. They all seem to be millionaires and billionaires. Some have Peterbilt and Freightliner semi-trailer rigs to haul their gear around that are better than what most of our Super V8 teams are fielding.