utes.com.au

If you missed any of the 2009 V8 Ute Racing series then there is an opportunity to grab a look at some re runs on FOX Sports

Both of these come down to the law relating to field of view.

Vicroads have published a information sheet regarding the field of view, which covers the definition of the field of view. We'll go into it in a lot more detail, discussing the legality of common aerials on the market today.

Mobile phones and visual display units

The risk of you being involved in an accident increases significantly when using a mobile phone or visual display unit.

A Holden Special Vehicles Maloo utility has won the 2009 Global Green Challenge economy run, an event which encountered an earthquake, a dust storm and sweltering conditions over seven days of endurance driving.

The HSV "PR Blog" of the event kept readers updated along with some great images (all of these came from that site ... thanks guys)

Isuzu's long association with Holden - GM is hard to throw off when it comes to the Rodeo and Holden's Colarado looking mighty similar.

From the owners view things are not that close at all ... in fact for many the D-MAX is a clear winner.

Tough utes from China's Great Car Manufacturer Great Wall Motors appear to be not so tough.

Breaking into a parochial market nich such as the Aussie Ute market is not for the feint hearted, but the sort of publisicty that the recent Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) tests achieved is not something any new product launch would want.

Deni Utemuster has introduced a number of unique competitions to their list of activities in the Deni Freighter Arena. With Barrel Racing and Go to Woa introduced this year creating some great interest, nothing pulls a crowd like the GME Circle Work Competition.

The relationship between Deni and Holden has again been highlighted with the release of the SS V-Series Special Edition Ute at the 2009 Muster.

Holden’s VE Ute range has become the first utility in Australia to receive a maximum five star safety rating from the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) or the Euro New Car Assessment Program (EuroNCAP).

This follows the announcement last month that Holden achieved another Australian safety first by launching the first Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV) to offer six airbags as standard across the range.

The latest result means Holden’s entire locally manufactured vehicle range now carries a five star safety rating from ANCAP.

The ANCAP result reflects the long list of safety features found standard across the VE Ute range including side impact airbags, curtain airbags and Electronic Stability Control (ESC) which incorporates Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), Electronic Brake Assist (EBA) and Traction Control System (TCS).

Holden Vehicle Structure & Safety Integration Manager, Steve Curtis said Holden had a long and proud history of delivering safety firsts.

“Exceptional safety has always been our priority,” Mr Curtis said.
“Ensuring Ute met the same high standard as the rest of the VE range has been a real focus.
Our efforts have produced the only light commercial vehicle in Australia to offer 5-star safety as standard across the range.
This endorsement from ANCAP is a very clear indication that we are on the right path of continual improvement.
VE Omega Utes that are converted to dual fuel LPG will also receive the five star safety rating."

FORD has decided not to match the new-found five-star safety of Holden’s Ute, saying that even though Falcon Ute could make the grade, its customers don’t necessarily want it.

Ford Australia president and CEO Marin Burela told a media briefing on Friday that Ford’s research revealed that typical Falcon Ute buyers preferred the current system of option packs for items such as extra airbags.

He said most were satisfied with four-star safety, realising this level was state of the art, including standard features such as ESC and front and side airbags.

“They want the choice,” he said. “But what they don’t want is to have it mandated and have it priced.”

Mr Burela said Ford ute customers tended to spend their money on other options rather than incremental airbags “because they don’t see the incremental airbags as being useful to them in how they interact with the vehicle, and how they use the vehicle”.

He said Ford Australia had set the agenda on safety by introducing Australia’s first locally-made five-star ANCAP car, the current FG Falcon.

At that time, Ford Australia chose not to submit its Falcon-based FG ute to a side pole crash test, which would have given it the extra two points required for five-star rating.