22 June 2025 by Mark Oastler
A low purchase price will always be the most important factor for a solid core of bargain-hunting ute buyers, which no doubt includes some hard-working tradies. And if that brings a generous amount of standard equipment, then that vehicle will be even more appealing. The GWM Cannon ute has clearly...Read more
19 May 2025 by Mark Oastler
The 4x4 Ram 1500 has been Australia’s top-selling US pick-up truck for the past seven years, with arguably its most distinctive and desirable feature being a thumping 5.7-litre Hemi V8 petrol engine under the bonnet. However, with the launch of Ram’s upgraded MY25 range, the popular 1500 has...Read more
7 May 2025 by Mark Oastler
Mazda’s third generation BT-50 has been a solid performer since its launch in 2020. In the first quarter of 2025, VFacts industry sales figures show it was the sixth most popular model in Australia’s fiercely competitive 4x4 ute market, where 13 brands and 16 models compete for buyers. Although it...Read more
27 April 2025 by Mark Oastler
It wasn’t so long ago that Chinese utes were largely ignored by Aussie buyers, as their design and engineering were clearly inferior to long-established market leaders. However, Chinese automakers like BYD and GWM have proved to be fast learners judging by recent arrivals equipped with advanced...Read more
7 April 2025 by Mark Oastler
Volkswagen’s ID.Buzz not only draws nostalgic styling inspiration from the iconic ‘Kombi’ van of the 1950s and ‘60s. Like the original, it also has its engine located at the back driving the rear wheels, which optimises traction and minimises drivetrain noise for the driver. However, that’s where...Read more
4 April 2025 by David Morley
Let’s not kid each other here. There’s an enormous elephant in the room and, depending on who you talk to, it might be missing a leg. The pachyderm in question is the Ram 1500 pick-up and the amputation refers to the fact that the mighty (and melodious) V8 with which the Ram ute made its name, has...Read more
18 March 2025 by Mark Oastler
The 4x4 dual cab ute is rapidly being reimagined by Chinese manufacturers, not only in terms of innovative hybrid drivetrains but also standard luxury that would satisfy the most fastidious prestige car buyer. And all at prices lower than premium offerings from established players. One of these...Read more
8 March 2025 by Mark Oastler
The venerable VW Caddy was launched in 1979 and after five generations and more than four decades of service, it remains one of the world’s most popular range of small vans. In Australia’s light-commercial vehicle market, the Caddy’s work-focused Cargo model competes in the small van (under 2.5-...Read more
27 February 2025 by David Morley
Never has the dual-cab ute market been such a noisy place. The established favourites are still doing huge business and the newcomers are arriving thick and fast, mainly from China, but all jockeying for some clear space and the chance to claim their share of willing customers. Against that...Read more
19 February 2025 by Mark Oastler
After more than four decades in production and global sales exceeding 2.2 million units, the Trafic has established a loyal following in Australia. In fact, according to Renault, Australia is the largest market for its popular mid-sized van outside of Europe. Perhaps this is not surprising given...Read more
7 February 2025 by Mark Oastler
The latest VS20 Vito range, comprising Vito/eVito light commercials and Tourer/V-Class people movers, brings the first major facelift to Mercedes-Benz’s mid-sized (2.5-3.5-tonne GVM) van since 2015, along with numerous comfort, convenience, technology and safety upgrades. The workhorse fleet is...Read more
27 January 2025 by Mark Oastler
The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter has long been a formidable competitor in the Light Duty (3501-8000kg GVM) division of Australia’s highly competitive Heavy Commercial vehicle market. The popular range offers a choice of panel van, cab-chassis and minibus body styles, four turbo - diesel engine variants (...Read more
15 January 2025 by Mark Oastler
The small van segment (Under 2.5-tonne GVM) is one of the smallest in Australia’s light commercial vehicle market, as it currently caters for only three contenders, the Volkswagen Caddy Cargo, Peugeot Partner and Renault Kangoo. Although total sales in this category are a fraction of those achieved...Read more
20 December 2024 by Mark Oastler
Small commercial vans (Under 2.5-tonne GVM) are well suited to full electric drivetrains. Given their relatively small payload ratings and external dimensions, these vans are ideal for light short-haul deliveries in congested urban settings, as they can easily negotiate narrow city laneways and...Read more
19 December 2024 by David Morley
Volkswagen’s new ID. Buzz electric people-mover might evoke all sorts of feel-good vibes with its visual links to the original Kombi of 1950, but in the world of last-mile delivery vans, sentimentality counts for nought. Which is why the commercial vehicle version of the ID. Buzz won’t be able to...Read more
13 December 2024 by Mark Oastler
French manufacturer Peugeot is at the cutting edge of electric commercial vans in Australia, having introduced its E-Partner small van (under 2.5-tonnes GVM) in 2023 before recently adding its new E-Expert in the popular mid-size segment (2.5 to 3.5-tonne GVM). We recently spent a working week...Read more
27 November 2024 by Mark Oastler
What new 4x4 dual-cab ute can you buy for $50K these days? Well, if you want to stick with the major players, $50K will only get you into base-model workhorses like the Ford Ranger XL 2.0L auto ($50,880), Toyota HiLux Workmate 2.4L auto ($50,420) or Isuzu D-Max SX ($50,700). And that's list pricing...Read more
8 November 2024 by Tom White
Is there a class of vehicle more overlooked in Australia than the humble light van? While the pragmatic and often hatchback-based small van is dwarfed in size and sales by the popular ute as the commercial vehicle of choice here, the case is completely reversed in Europe, where light commercial...Read more
31 October 2024 by Tom White
In Australia, we like to think anything could be a ute. From our once-locally-developed models from Ford and Holden to today’s top-selling HiLux and Ranger , there’s nothing we love more than something tough with a tray. The thing is, such experience also makes Aussies the biggest ute critics. It’s...Read more