Mercedes to add heated seatbelts as a safety feature—it kind of makes sense.

[peter halle]

But they aren't like our full size pickups are they? I thought they were more like a modern day Chevy El Camino or a mid size pickup like a Toyota.

Peter

 

[luvmytoolz]

But they aren't like our full size pickups are they? I thought they were more like a modern day Chevy El Camino or a mid size pickup like a Toyota.

Peter

From what I understand the modern type El Camino's are like our older Holden utes, the ones that dominate the market here are the larger single/dual cab ones. It's a much smaller market here obviously but these are the top selling model figures for the last 6 months:

Top Selling Utes in Australia (2025/2026 Data)

• Ford Ranger: 56,555 units
• Toyota HiLux: 51,297 units
• Isuzu D-Max: 26,839 units
• Mitsubishi Triton: 18,900 units

I've got a dual cab Triton myself (with a rear canopy and large roof rack fitted) as we have 4 kids, and that had the most spacious and comfortable rear passenger section and wasn't ridiculously expensive like the Ford Ranger is. This is my 3rd ute after a Holden Rodeo, and a Toyota HiLux before that. Very hard to go back to a normal passenger car after having a ute!

 

[smorgasbord]

I was tempted to buy an electric car for errands but then I found out 1 kWh cost 37 cents delivered in NYC. Considered adding a few solar panels and batteries but what really killed the idea was the cost of insurance to cover a low use car. So instead of buying a small electric car and keeping my old minivan I just bought a new gasoline burning minivan.

Con Edison offers EV owners Time Of Use rates at like $0.16/kWh.
Do the math at your price per gallon & mpg & oil changes, etc.
Biggest problem with EVs is that the tech is evolving rapidly and so depreciation is high.

 

[Michael Kellough]

Con Edison offers EV owners Time Of Use rates at like $0.16/kWh.
Do the math at your price per gallon & mpg & oil changes, etc.
Biggest problem with EVs is that the tech is evolving rapidly and so depreciation is high.

Approaching a full year of use and will just barely break 3000 miles. Cost of fuel is less than $700. Cost of insurance is nearly one dollar per mile. Makes me dizzy thinking about how ridiculous this is.

 

[Mini Me]

Yes, Aussie slang for "utility" I think. They're extremely popular here, always at the top of the sales in Oz.

Ford Australia built the first coupe/utility in the 1930's after a farmer's wife wrote to Ford and asked if they could build a vehicle that could carry stuff like hay and animals but be comfortable for longer trips and going somewhere while dressed to visit.

https://outbacktravelaustralia.com.au/buyers-guide-buying-advice/the-true-history-of-the-ute/

 

[luvmytoolz]

Ford Australia built the first coupe/utility in the 1930's after a farmer's wife wrote to Ford and asked if they could build a vehicle that could carry stuff like hay and animals but be comfortable for longer trips and going somewhere while dressed to visit.

https://outbacktravelaustralia.com.au/buyers-guide-buying-advice/the-true-history-of-the-ute/

Great link! That red Model 40-A is superb!