Ute's and Sport Utes

[C M Smith <cmsmith@domain.elided>]

Our friends in the Antipodes refer to small pickups as Ute's, short for 
Utility vehicles.

There is truly no such thing as a "sport" utility vehicle, that term is a 
pure invention of the US auto industry.

International Harvester station wagon type Utes,  Willy's Overlander, and 
GM's Suburban were never intended primarily for passenger vehicle use, and 
only the last was even suitable for use in urban areas.

None of these vehicles is safe to drive at highway speeds in modern traffic.

No one questions the virtues of the US style pick up truck, or the US style 
utility vehicle. These are among the finest vehicle designs or their type. 
They are not designed for carrying passengers on highways.

Grinding along in low 4x4 off road with a full load of fence posts or 
camping gear requires one of these vehicles. Short haul of construction 
materials or heavy goods requires one of these vehicles.

Driving at highway speeds with 7 passengers requires a passenger vehicle.

Sports driving requires a real car, like an Alfa.

End of story.
Michael Smith
White 1991 164L
Original owner
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