So now we drive Trucks?

[jonesfam]

I don't usually take much notice of adds on TV but last night I noticed an ad for a Ford Ute.
Said ute was being talked about by a Lady who was comparing it with a Toyota & extolling how it had all these good things the Toyota didn't, she did NOT mention that Land Rovers had all/most of these good things years ago.
Anyway, what got on my goat was at the end of the ad she said something about this Ford being the Best TRUCK!
TRUCK?
Since when do we in Oz call a ute a Truck?
For Fords future reference a truck is a bloody great big thing that has at least capacity of 4 tons & is registered as a light truck minimum. In my environs a truck is a bloody great big thing with 3 trailers (the last of which swings all over the road), usually a good driver & enough stuff on the back that it takes half a day to get your 4 or 5 pallets.
Now lets stop yet another American term from encroaching on the Oz vernacular & further corrupting our young aspiring ute drivers.
I think that from now on I will sneer at all the drivers of the above Ford ute & especially if they have just pulled out of a suburban shopping centre car park & are women.
Rant over........................................for now.
Jonesfam

[Mick_Marsh]

Better than being called a "pickup" I guess.

[rangieman]

It`s Americanism marketing slang that is creeping in to our car advertising ect suv :o
And no im no of the bull****

[loanrangie]

Those ford ads **** me , i'd like to slap that chick for being so condascending .

Sent from my GT-I9300 using AULRO mobile app

[DiscoMick]

I don't know, I've had to explain to the family that our Defender drives like a truck, not a car. I meant it as a compliment - its definitely not a Yaris!

Sent from my GT-P5210 using AULRO mobile app

[bee utey]

Old (mis)usage. 20 years ago friends of ours wanted me to look at their "truck" which turned out to be a 4 cylinder Triton ute.;)

[JDNSW]

Srictly speaking, "ute" is short for "utility truck". So calling it a truck is semantically correct (but only for a vehicle that is primarily a goods carrying vehicle). But it is not usual Australian English, and is probably used by Ford to pander to the supposedly Americanised Australian motor buying public. As noted above, on par with the use of "SUV", but a little less distasteful.

John

[jonesfam]

SUV = Spots Utility Vehicle.
There is not much sporty about my D3.
Even in Sport Mode it is still a big lardy 4WD.
May be there is something sporty about all the other 4WD's?
Jonesfam
PS It's not a "truck" either.

[Mick_Marsh]

Those ford ads **** me , i'd like to slap that chick for being so condascending .

Sent from my GT-I9300 using AULRO mobile app
I'd just like to slap her.
Yep, those ads I find very annoying too.

[Homestar]

Yeah, but having driven both the new Ranger and the Hilux, the Ranger wins hands down. The Hilux is now only trading on its name - it can't touch most of the others now for features and power.

Call it a truck, ute, SUV or just a POS - it actually isn't half bad...

[Ranga]

Yeah, but having driven both the new Ranger and the Hilux, the Ranger wins hands down. The Hilux is now only trading on its name - it can't touch most of the others now for features and power.

Call it a truck, ute, SUV or just a POS - it actually isn't half bad...

And yet a mate reckons the Mazda BT50 ****s all over the Ranger!

[Homestar]

And yet a mate reckons the Mazda BT50 ****s all over the Ranger!

It may well do - I haven't driven one of those. :). I think the Hilux is at the bottom of the heap now. It's only trading on its name now.

[DiscoMick]

It may well do - I haven't driven one of those. :). I think the Hilux is at the bottom of the heap now. It's only trading on its name now.

Friend of a relation had a Hilux he had done a lot of work to to try to make it perform better. He eventuall traded it on a Ranger. Now he says the standard Ranger would have left his modded Hilux in the dust.

As for calling it a 'truck', I don't mind. It certainly sounds tougher than calling it a 'SUV'. My Defender isn't a SUV, but it is a truck, I reckon.
Sent from my GT-P5210 using AULRO mobile app

[Lotz-A-Landies]

Yeah, but having driven both the new Ranger and the Hilux, the Ranger wins hands down. The Hilux is now only trading on its name - it can't touch most of the others now for features and power.

Call it a truck, ute, SUV or just a POS - it actually isn't half bad...Ford must have a new model out!

Today I followed a Ford ute up Garfield Road West and it had the "ANGER" written across the tailgate.

I wonder if that was because the owner didn't like it being called a truck? :D

[B92 8NW]

I've just done the rounds looking at all these "trucks" and frankly ended up so confused I can't see a clear winner of any of them. Not enough to sign away a lot of money anyway.

[kogvos]

I've just done the rounds looking at all these "trucks" and frankly ended up so confused I can't see a clear winner of any of them. Not enough to sign away a lot of money anyway.
You'll just have to get one of each.

[loanrangie]

And yet a mate reckons the Mazda BT50 ****s all over the Ranger!

But then you have to look at it, one of if not the ugliest ute design i have ever seen.
The only thing close is the Musso closely followed by the triton and the lowlux.

[Ranga]

But then you have to look at it, one of if not the ugliest ute design i have ever seen.
The only thing close is the Musso closely followed by the triton and the lowlux.
Yeah, I tend to agree. IMHO the Ranger is the best looking of the lot.

[kenleyfred]

I work as a courier. Started with Hilux 2.7 and went to Hilux 3l td. Both were very capable and I was happy with the diesel economy. After 340K I went to trade in for new Hilux. The only difference after 6 years was that the new one had blue tooth.
I ended up with Isuzu Dmax and couldn't be happier. Way more safety features, way way more economical, I frequently get 1000km to the tank. And it was cheaper than the Hilux.

From the beginning my wife has called my Defender "the truck"
Kenley

[Eevo]

she can take me in her truck anytime
:wub::wub::wub:

[Bob Harding]

Hmmmmm gotta 86 110 county

And it drives like a truck and handles

Like a truck but I must admit over my

4 score and ten plus a few I have driven

Many trucks but non of em as much fun

As me old landy or even me old lady but

Thats a different story

[DiscoMick]

I've just done the rounds looking at all these "trucks" and frankly ended up so confused I can't see a clear winner of any of them. Not enough to sign away a lot of money anyway.

Buy the current 4 x 4 Australia and read their ute comparison.

[Cammo]

I quite like the ford ads. Never been a huge fan of their product, but have warmed to them as I have a puma....
I like them because I despise toyota - they are very good at what they do, which is manufacturing appliances. Just like a fridge or washing machine, you buy a toyota to perform a task. Which it will do - on the whole - in a largely satisfactory manner. When it ceases to do so, you go back to the shop and buy a new one. Their marketing department is just so damned good at convincing you you're buying something more.

And so its about time someone brought the fight to toymotas marketing department, and show everyone that there are other, better options.

My 1982 Stage 1 has "Land Rover" under the manufacturer and "Truck" under the model, and so the rego papers read 1982 Land Rover Truck.
I am okay with this. It has a truck engine, a truck-like chassis, 10 leaves under each corner which makes it ride very akin to a truck, and very truck like drum brakes, I have driven trucks with lighter clutches and better ergonomics. I feel if anything in the dual cab ute market deserves to be called a truck, its a defender. If its not a defender, its a pretender :-P

[jimr1]

I got put back in my box not long after coming to Oz. I said to to boys I was working with . You have big Lorry's here !! , When I was told , we don't have Lorry's here ! There Trucks . From that day on they've been Trucks . Jim :)

[DiscoMick]

I quite like the idea I'm driving a truck. It's certainly better than saying its an SUV, which sounds like something women drive to the hairdresser.

[Redback]

Srictly speaking, "ute" is short for "utility truck". So calling it a truck is semantically correct (but only for a vehicle that is primarily a goods carrying vehicle). But it is not usual Australian English, and is probably used by Ford to pander to the supposedly Americanised Australian motor buying public. As noted above, on par with the use of "SUV", but a little less distasteful.

John

I thought it was "Utility or Utilitarian Vehicle" but your knowledge is always correct more than mine John, so I'll call that something else learnt.

Baz.

[Redback]

Yeah, but having driven both the new Ranger and the Hilux, the Ranger wins hands down. The Hilux is now only trading on its name - it can't touch most of the others now for features and power.

Call it a truck, ute, SUV or just a POS - it actually isn't half bad...

We have Rangers and Colorados here at my work, the Holden drives a lot better than the Ranger in my opinion.

BUT, and I'm not being bias here, the Amarok drives the best out of all of them, it's not the most powerful by a long shot(manual only has 120kW) but it sure drives better.

Baz.

[JDNSW]

I thought it was "Utility or Utilitarian Vehicle" but your knowledge is always correct more than mine John, so I'll call that something else learnt.

Baz.

According to the Australian National Dictionary, the phrase "Utility Truck" was first used in 1935, with the term "ute" first used in 1943. Interestingly, both these first usages were from NT publications or descriptions of the NT. That the words appear in this dictionary means that it is an Australian contribution to English. Interestingly, the SOED gives "utility" as short for "utility vehicle", and lists it as chiefly Aust. & NZ. As the AND gives actual dated quotes to show the usage, I think I prefer its origin of the word.

The terms would have been in use probably for decades before they appeared in print.

John

[shanegtr]

Im afraid the word "truck" has been around for a while now to describe any 4wd. Still it could be worse and we could be refering to them as SUV's

Now this is an SUV - at least it can get around corners quick enough to deserve the "Sport" title and last time I checked it was a utility vehicle:p
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/04/375.jpg

[JDNSW]

Im afraid the word "truck" has been around for a while now to describe any 4wd. Still it could be worse and we could be refering to them as SUV's



Only among those who have slavishly followed American usage. Which, admittedly, includes most of the motor industry!

John

[bsperka]

Only among those who have slavishly followed American usage. Which, admittedly, includes most of the motor industry!

John

I remember my boss calling his Hilux a truck back in 1982, so yeah its not new to the scene. Mind you they handled so badly it was accurate.

[cafe latte]

Only among those who have slavishly followed American usage. Which, admittedly, includes most of the motor industry!

John

Not really the F100 has always been called an F truck (by everyone) in Aus since the early 80's which is 35 years ago, calling a 4x4 a truck is hardly a new thing.
Chris

[DiscoMick]

If you're ever seen an F350, it really is a monster truck!

[cafe latte]

If you're ever seen an F350, it really is a monster truck!

True, but my f100 isnt.
Chris

[Saitch]

According to the Australian National Dictionary, the phrase "Utility Truck" was first used in 1935, with the term "ute" first used in 1943. Interestingly, both these first usages were from NT publications or descriptions of the NT. That the words appear in this dictionary means that it is an Australian contribution to English. Interestingly, the SOED gives "utility" as short for "utility vehicle", and lists it as chiefly Aust. & NZ. As the AND gives actual dated quotes to show the usage, I think I prefer its origin of the word.

The terms would have been in use probably for decades before they appeared in print.

John
My understanding is that the original utility was of the "Style side" design therefore, a tray back vehicle may, in fact, be a "Truck":confused:
I'm always open to further education & love these topics!
Steve

[JDNSW]

I remember my boss calling his Hilux a truck back in 1982, so yeah its not new to the scene. Mind you they handled so badly it was accurate.

This was probably accurate usage - the term "utility truck" can be abbreviated as "utility" or "truck". Where "truck" is at odds with Australian usage is where it is applied to primarily passenger carrying vehicles, even if they are 4x4, such as a Defender Wagon, a Discovery, Prado etc. The essence of the meaning of "truck" is that it is a goods carrying vehicle.

Similarly, to reply to Cafe latte, yes, an F-100 has always been either a truck or a utility - but they are not a passenger vehicle. And this applied whether it was 2x4 or 4x4.

John

[steane]

And yet a mate reckons the Mazda BT50 ****s all over the Ranger!

Ranger/BT50

Tomato/Tomato

[JDNSW]

My understanding is that the original utility was of the "Style side" design therefore, a tray back vehicle may, in fact, be a "Truck":confused:
I'm always open to further education & love these topics!
Steve

The style side type of Ute is supposed to have been first made by Ford Australia in 1935, but the term "utility truck" used by them to refer to it was already in use for home conversions of sedans. These conversions were rarely if ever "style side" (that term seems to date from the 1970s or 80s in the USA). Flat trays or well trays, invariably wooden, were normal, and these were called "trucks" or "light trucks" before the term "utility truck" emerged in the 1920s.

As I pointed out in an earlier post, a utility can be referred to as a "truck" since "utility" is short for "utility truck". But there is no justification for calling a station wagon a truck, regardless of how many driving wheels it may have.

John

[bsperka]

And yet a mate reckons the Mazda BT50 ****s all over the Ranger!

It's amazing what a difference an ecu map change and different suspension settings can do to basically the same vehicle. A lot of motor writers agree with your mate btw.

[Saitch]

Hope this clears things up. It's rated "Commercial"
SHANGHAI MOTOR SHOW: Brabus Rangie ute - motoring.com.au (http://www.motoring.com.au/news/2015/large-4x4/land-rover/range-rover/shanghai-motor-show-brabus-rangie-ute-50549?WT.mc.id=display_outbrain_ron_image-text_content_&WT.seg_4=display_outbrain_ron_image-text_content)_

[S3ute]

I got put back in my box not long after coming to Oz. I said to to boys I was working with . You have big Lorry's here !! , When I was told , we don't have Lorry's here ! There Trucks . From that day on they've been Trucks . Jim :)

Well, when I was a kid in the Upper Hunter they were all lorries here too - we had a cattle lorry, you put milk cans out on the road for the milk lorry to pick up, you got furniture out from town in a furniture lorry, cement was delivered in a cement lorry, you had to dodge the log lorries on the narrow roads etc etc.

"Truck" was a creeping Americanism from the 70's.

But, I was pleased to hear my dark Zimbabwean colleagues recently telling me to watch out for the copper lorries on the road to Vic Falls. Proper use of the Queen's English.

We also used to own a Vauxhall Estate (but never an Estate Car), but I guess that's another issue....

Cheers,

[DiscoMick]

Well, when I was a kid in the Upper Hunter they were all lorries here too - we had a cattle lorry, you put milk cans out on the road for the milk lorry to pick up, you got furniture out from town in a furniture lorry, cement was delivered in a cement lorry, you had to dodge the log lorries on the narrow roads etc etc.

"Truck" was a creeping Americanism from the 70's.

But, I was pleased to hear my dark Zimbabwean colleagues recently telling me to watch out for the copper lorries on the road to Vic Falls. Proper use of the Queen's English.

We also used to own a Vauxhall Estate (but never an Estate Car), but I guess that's another issue....

Cheers,

Yes, when I was a kid on the farm we used to refer to the 'milk lorry' coming around the valley to pick up milk from the dairies.

[bsperka]

Well, when I was a kid in the Upper Hunter they were all lorries here too - we had a cattle lorry, you put milk cans out on the road for the milk lorry to pick up, you got furniture out from town in a furniture lorry, cement was delivered in a cement lorry, you had to dodge the log lorries on the narrow roads etc etc.

"Truck" was a creeping Americanism from the 70's.

But, I was pleased to hear my dark Zimbabwean colleagues recently telling me to watch out for the copper lorries on the road to Vic Falls. Proper use of the Queen's English.

We also used to own a Vauxhall Estate (but never an Estate Car), but I guess that's another issue....

Cheers,

English manufactured vehicles to carry loads were common in Australia til the 1960s or so; then they started coming from America. Perhaps this is why they were called lorries and changed to trucks?

[kenleyfred]

There they go
Forty lorries in a row
Thems not lorries, Thems is trucks
Full of hens 'n geese 'n ducks.