2010 Holden Ute

Holden Wins Best Ute Award Third Year in a Row

Holden's VE SS Úte has claimed the 2009 Drive Car of the Year's Best Úte Award for the third consecutive year.

The reigning champion was complimented for its car-like handling and for becoming the first utility in Australia to receive a maximum five star safety rating from the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP).

The ute was judged by a panel of experts from Drive.com.au, The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age on a broad criteria including performance, price, quality, comfort, practicality and safety.

Drive Car of the Year judge David Morley said the SS Úte had stood out because it managed to retain many of the things that make the SS sedan a such compelling product.

'The Holden Úte has the ability to make any drive not just comfortable and easy but actively enjoyable,' Mr Morley §äid.

'There's not a single one of our judges that wouldn't have been happy to drive this product home.'

National Drive Editor and Drive Car of the Year judge Toby Hagon added that 'when it comes to fun … there are not many cars that can nail it like the SS Úte.'

Holden Director of Marketing Philip Brook said winning back-to-back Best Úte awards was a great achievement that acknowledged the local talent that went into the program.

'To win this award for the third consecutive year recognises Holden's ongoing commitment to delivering value, style and performance,' Mr Brook §äid.

The VE SS Úte is well equipped with standard features including 18-inch alloy wheels, sports body kit with fog lamps, quad exhausts, six-disc MP3 compatible CD system, Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity, side impact airbags, curtain airbags and Electronic Stability Control.

Source - Holden

Holden Ute - First Utility to Achieve 5-Star Safety in Australia

Holden's VE Úte 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 Úte 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 §äid.

'Ensuring Úte 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 Útes that are converted to dual fuel LPG will also receive the five star safety rating.

Source - Holden