The end of the year is only a couple of weeks away; and what an eventful year it has been in the automotive industry.
We’ve been lucky to test drive a lot of the new and exciting vehicles which came out into the marketplace; from the Volkswagen Tiguan through to the Tesla Model S.
Whilst there have been a lot of changes in the industry, there has been one trend which has continued; the demand for Utes vehicles continues to grow.
Five of the ten bestselling vehicles in the country last year were Utes. It’s a trend which has continued in 2017 and shows no sign of slowing down in the foreseeable future.
There are a couple of reasons for this. Modern Utes are excellent crossover vehicles, rather than just being a reliable workhorse. As New Zealanders, living an active, outdoor lifestyle is a part of who we are. The storage abilities of the tray in the back to put all your gear in is quite a strong attribute. Utes are also more aligned with what you’d expect to see in a modern SUV as far as the interior layout, comfort, ride quality and features go.
The growing popularity of Utes is not limited to New Zealand either. For the first time last year, Australia’s bestselling car was a the Toyota Hilux.
It reflects change in the marketplace. Back in the day, it was the Toyota Corolla, Suzuki Swift or Holden Commodore that might have been the bestselling cars in New Zealand. It goes to show how much the Utility Car Sector has grown. With new additions like LDV’s T60 and the Mercedes Benz X-Class, the choice and quality of vehicles available only continues to get better.
We reckon this is a reflection of the increased expectations which drivers expect to get out of their cars. New vehicle buyers are looking for vehicles with more space, up to date technology and a smoother driving experience.
In the past, Utes have struggled to meet the demands of people that are wanting decent quality vehicle with some nice features. Thankfully, the manufacturers have listened to their customers and responded with positive changes.
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