1. I don’t think there’s enough of a market for either car here to justify selling them in the states. In Oz they’re basically marketed as light trucks which is fine for Oz, but as we all know ladder frame, leaf spring sporting light/medium trucks from both Japan and the Big 3 are what killed the Elky here in the US to begin with.

2. The Subaru Baja didn’t exactly sell too well which doesn’t help the Ute’s case (although the Baja was poorly marketed and underpowered from the get go).

3. While it was stupid for GM brass to think that there was a market for it in the first place, the SSR despite being more expensive than the Ute was a flop and a half. While there’s a pretty big price difference between that of the Ute and the SSR the latter’s lack of sales still doesn’t do much to help the former’s chances of being sold here.

4. While there are a lot of poseurs out there who buy trucks because they demand RWD and because for a long time GMs car lineup looked like **** it might seem like there’s room for the Ute here at first. However consider that folks who might consider buying a 362hp Ute will also have the option of a similarly powered RWD Impala, possibly a new Monte Carlo, a 400hp Camaro, the G8, the GTO and a new RWD Buick. To me I think GM is better off deuglyfying the Colorado and shoving an LS2 under the hood of that thing for people who want the function of a bed and the power of a small block.

The only way I can possibly see GM selling the Ute here is

1. by discontinuing the Monte Carlo and making room in Chevy’s lineup for another RWD 2 door vehicle. To me the biggest competition for a reborn Elky with a 362hp V8 that drives like a car is a reborn Monte Carlo with the same engine and seating for 4-5. The Colorado is a midsizer now so there is room beneath it for an affordable light car/truck but I think buyers would shy away from the El Camino if they could just get a Monte Carlo with similar performance for around the same price.

2. sell the 2 door Ute out of GMC dealerships as a halo vehicle. GMC has always been a Chevy trucks copycat anyway. Give the brand something to distinguish itself from the rest of GMs makes. Yes the Caballero is not as well remembered as the Elky but if that’s the case then come up with a new name. Honestly I think GMC would be the perfect place to sell the Ute here in the states. Chevy is getting the Camaro and possibly a new Monte. Pontiac has a new GTO in the pipe and the smaller FWD G6 Coupe. 2 Coupes on one lot is more than enough these days. The Ute would be a Niche market product if it were sold here being that it’s a strict two seater so why not give the only brand that doesn’t have a 2 seater (besides Buick) a toy of their own?

3. sell the more practical 4 door Holden Crewman out of Chevy or GMC dealerships. However if GM goes with the 4 door Crewman, now the competition for the car/truck crossover becomes the midsize Colorado/Canyon.