VE Commodore SS-V shipping out for South Africa

2008 will see GM Holden celebrate its 1000th ute export to South Africa with the announcement that General Motors South Africa is to take delivery of the new VE Ute.

Holden Utes have been exported to South Africa for more than five years and now the VE Ute will follow in the footsteps of those that came before it. This will be the first export program for the all-new Ute, outside New Zealand.

South African versions of the VE Ute will be badged as Chevrolet Lumina SS Utes, and are almost identical in terms of specification and features to the domestic version of the SS V Series Ute. The Ute will join the Lumina SS Sedan already on sale.

The vehicle was launched recently in Sabie, South Africa, where Marketing Manager for General Motors South Africa, Des Fenner, said the all-new Lumina SS Ute occupied a special niche as it was the only vehicle of its kind in the South African market.

“It is a vehicle that has a tremendous appeal amongst a group of buyers that work hard and play hard and enjoy an active lifestyle. This vehicle raises the bar thanks to the wealth of expertise at GM’s global rear wheel drive design and engineering centre in Australia. They have created a vehicle that successfully integrates sports car performance, ride and handling, together with a functional load carrying capability,” said Fenner.

GM Holden Export Manager, Kristian Aquilina, said that it was great to see this long standing relationship with GM South Africa continue, especially with such an exciting product.

“The VE range, including the Ute, has generated a great response from our global GM partners and there is certainly a market for this kind of vehicle. Exports are an essential part of our strategy and with the success of the VE range overseas we expect to export 50 per cent of the vehicles we make here in Australia in the near future,” said Aquilina.