The sight of a colossal US-style Ford ute sprawled across two parking bays at a Coles car park in southeast Melbourne has not only turned heads but also ignited a fiery debate about the suitability of Australia's infrastructure for such enormous vehicles.

As the number of large utes on Australian roads continues to rise, their size is proving to be a significant issue when it comes to parking spaces.

A shopper, amused by the sight, snapped a picture of the imposing ute and shared it online, quipping that the vehicle was so large it should come with its own air traffic control team.

'Should have his own traffic control team riding around in him with the size of that rig,' he wrote.

A large ute has taken over two parking spaces at a Coles car park. Image source: Facebook.

However, others were quick to point out that the driver had no other choice but to claim two parking spaces as the ute wouldn't fit into one.

'Look, it's not their fault that the parks aren't big enough,' one replied.

'If he tried to park within the lines, he’d be wasting his time, [it's] logical to park this way to leave room. Take out 2 parks instead of 3,' another added.

According to Budget Direct, in 2021, more than 50 per cent of cars sold in Australia were SUVs, and their popularity shows no signs of waning. And in 2023, the best-selling car model was the large Ford Ranger ute.

While some praised the driver’s rig, others questioned the necessity of such large vehicles on Aussie roads.

'Why do you need something this big?' one questioned, while another suggested adopting the mantra 'can’t park it, don’t drive it'.

Standards Australia has proposed increasing the length of a standard car park space to accommodate the increase in large car purchases.

However, experts warned that significant infrastructural changes would be required in size-restricted cities to accommodate these large utes.

'The question becomes, how do we use this space? If we want to make our car parks bigger, we get fewer of them, we lose space for bike lanes, we lose space for parks, we lose space for shops,' Monash University Lecturer Julian O'Shea said.

Some countries have suggested implementing higher parking fees for these large utes and restricting areas where they can be driven when space is at 'a premium'.

Key Takeaways

• A Ford ute’s parking over two bays in a Coles car park has highlighted issues with large vehicles and parking spaces in Australia.
• Discussions sparked over the increasing number of oversized utes on Australian roads and their impact on parking infrastructure.
• The popularity of SUVs and large utes like the Ford Ranger continues to grow in Australia, with suggestions to increase parking space sizes to accommodate them.
• Proposals for higher parking fees for large utes and restricting areas where they can be driven are being considered amidst concerns about urban space management.

What are your thoughts on this issue, members? Have you encountered any problems with large utes in your local area? Share your experiences in the comments below.

 

[Cheviegirl]

What a pack of rot! Vehicles cannot be any wider than the allowed width. He is over the white line. If he was over actually inside the lines he would have fitted. Some people park like this so their doors are not hit. Seen it many times.

 

[Jancgr]

Some larger vehicles obscure the vision if a driver is trying back out of a parking space. The larger vehicle might not be as large as the photographed one.

 

[Greg350]

What a pack of rot! Vehicles cannot be any wider than the allowed width. He is over the white line. If he was over actually inside the lines he would have fitted. Some people park like this so their doors are not hit. Seen it many times.

What width is that? If that car parked within the lines they would be on the lines, two next to each other, now how do you get out of the car?

The law has allowed for this, you are allowed to take up the minimum number of parking bays required if you can't fit within one bay.

 

[melnugro]

Some of the car parks now have narrow parking bays , which are not suitable for bigger vehicles.

 

[trakn]

Not like the car park is full.
They could be travelling you have no idea . Parking spaces have gotten smaller over the years so centres can fit required numbers on as small a plot as possible.
In 1974 l had no trouble parking my valiant sedan ,today my 1981 valiant doesn't fit in most centre parking bays

 

[Greg350]

Not like the car park is full.
They could be travelling you have no idea . Parking spaces have gotten smaller over the years so centres can fit required numbers on as small a plot as possible.
In 1974 l had no trouble parking my valiant sedan ,today my 1981 valiant doesn't fit in most centre parking bays

Your 81 Valiant is 50 mm wider compared to a 2024 Toyota Camry and you think it can't fit?

 

[Greg350]

Not like the car park is full.
They could be travelling you have no idea . Parking spaces have gotten smaller over the years so centres can fit required numbers on as small a plot as possible.
In 1974 l had no trouble parking my valiant sedan ,today my 1981 valiant doesn't fit in most centre parking bays

Actually just looked at my car, it's 1895 wide and I manage to park in all spots easily.

 

[Squizzy1]

The Americans use the correct term, it's not a ute but a truck.

 

[Squizzy1]

Actually just looked at my car, it's 1895 wide and I manage to park in all spots easily.

The standard for parking spaces is 2.4-2.6m leaving 252.5 to 352.5mm each side for door opening.

 

[Squizzy1]

Some of the car parks now have narrow parking bays , which are not suitable for bigger vehicles.

Then there's the vision issue when trying to navigate the park while leaving.

 

[marni]

If he is so entitled to think he should be able to park at the shopping centre I guess he would be ok with buses and Motorhomes taking three. People have to park streets away sometimes as their rig is too large, just ask truckers

 

[Squizzy1]

What a pack of rot! Vehicles cannot be any wider than the allowed width. He is over the white line. If he was over actually inside the lines he would have fitted. Some people park like this so their doors are not hit. Seen it many times.

The allowable width of a motor vehicle in Oz is 2.5m, the standard for car pk spaces is 2.4-2.6m, might be a bit tight if you want to open the doors.

 

[mylittletibbies]

How long will it be before people think they require a bus to pick up their shopping or drive their kids to school??

 

[AlanQ]

It's a truck, not an SUV. Much the same as staff of these shopping centres, oversize trucks like this should have designated areas and potentially, like underground carparks, a high device that prevents the entitled to not park anywhere that isn't designated. Unfortunately, those that drive these unnecessarily large vehicles need reminders of that their entitlement has limitations. Previous govt (stupidly) encourage every tradie (including apprentices) to buy these pickup trucks with immediate tax right off. Every apprentice was told get an ABN and you can find a dealer that will give you the appropriate paperwork to claim back the tax (GST) and right off the purchase price. Then fit it out with an invoice that separates the purchase price from the final price to meet the tax requirement. Is why you now see P plates driving brand new Ford rangers and hilux utes. Also why, ford ranger is the biggest selling 'car' in Aust. (rules changes as of this tax year, so will most likely mean less of these will be sold).

 

[Ian Crane-Luff]

As this problem is becoming more prevelant maybe parking areas furthest from the stores should made mandatory for these ego machines, there is no excuse taking up two or more spaces in the main parking areas just because your vehicle is unsuited to the parking areas used by normal size vehicles

 

[I'm Mal]

It is hilarious how some folk park their vehicles as if they are driving a prime mover. Equally laughable is that these things are often referred to as "trucks." They are toys not trucks. Trucks are Mack, Scania, Freightliner, Kenworth etc not GMC, RAM etc.

 

[Ingot]

You have no idea how pleased I am to see people becoming irate - finally - over this issue.
It's not new.
I started a thread (over at CHOICE) about this very issue, about 3 or 4 years ago, and all I got was push-back.
So graciously withdrew.
Now I am getting emails from that thread, with people complaining about that very issue, IN THAT SAME THREAD!
I suggested to management that they have a wider section for these trucks, but they said there was nothing in the regulations that said they had to do anything (basically).
So rather than criticise the machines, or their owner (a fruitless exercise) take it up with local councils who approved the shopping centre plans (way back when) or directly with Centre management.
We have a little Peugeot Hatch, and now have a Disabled/Mobility permit, so parking relief for us.
But the issue you raised will not go away without collective action.
Good luck - I did my bit when people were more unwilling to do anything except criticise me for raising the issue.

 

[Clancieblue]

At least they were trying not to hit other people's doors.

 

[David567]

Out of all these pick up trucks I am yet to see anything in the back of one. Some of these guys will get a shock when it comes time to service these toys and replace the broken down parts. They must have more money than brains as these machines are the most expensive vehicles to own, and run, especially Ram.