What's this Aussie icon doing in California? Americans can't believe their eyes!
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It's not every day that you see a slice of Australian automotive history cruising down the sun-drenched streets of California. But that's exactly what happened when a white Holden VE ute – an unmistakable icon from Down Under – was spotted navigating an intersection in Riverside, California, causing quite the stir among American motorists.
The sighting, which took place on the patriotic occasion of July 4th, quickly made its way to social media, courtesy of Explore Riverside. The video, accompanied by a caption from a puzzled American asking for the car's identity, sparked a flurry of responses from amused Aussies and car enthusiasts alike.
'Every Aussie just rolls their eyes in common lol,' one commenter chimed in, highlighting the ubiquity of the Holden ute in Australia. 'This is every second car here in Australia,' another added, while a third confirmed, 'That's an Aussie Holden ute.'
The Holden ute's appearance in the US is a rare sight indeed, and it's no surprise that it captured the attention of locals. Holden, a brand that once held a special place in the hearts of many Australians, ceased manufacturing in 2017. The decision by General Motors, Holden's parent company, was attributed to high production costs and the significant investment required to continue operations.
The closure of the Holden manufacturing plant in Adelaide had a profound impact, with a federal government report revealing that 805 workers lost their jobs. However, the end of production has led to an interesting development for car collectors and enthusiasts: the potential for certain Holden models to become highly valuable collectibles.
Cameron Pascoe from Dutton Garage Wholesale in Melbourne speculated that limited edition Holden models 'could be worth hundreds of thousands of dollars in 10 years time.' This prediction is supported by current pricing on carsales.com.au, where a 2016 Holden Commodore can fetch anywhere between $39,900 to $72,500.
The Holden Commodore, first introduced in 1978, was once a staple of the Holden fleet. There were even plans to introduce the Commodores to the US market as the Pontiac G8 in 2008, but the initiative was short-lived, with General Motors halting production just a year later.
Despite the rarity of Aussie vehicles in the US, the love for American-style pick-up trucks has been growing in Australia. Between January and May, Aussies purchased 2,623 full-sized pick-ups, marking a 16.3 percent increase from the previous year. Yet, despite the rising popularity of these American giants, the ute remains a preferred choice for many Australian drivers. The Ford Ranger, for instance, has become the best-selling vehicle in Australia, with 33,531 units sold in the first half of the year.
The unexpected encounter with the Holden ute in California serves as a nostalgic reminder of the once-thriving Australian automotive industry. It also highlights the cultural exchange between the US and Australia, where each country's iconic vehicles inspire curiosity and admiration across the Pacific.
So, to our members who might be feeling a bit homesick or just love a good car story, what do you think about the Holden ute's Californian adventure? Have you spotted any Aussie cars on your travels abroad? Share your stories and thoughts in the comments below – we'd love to hear about your own encounters with automotive icons, whether they're homegrown heroes or international imports!
The sighting, which took place on the patriotic occasion of July 4th, quickly made its way to social media, courtesy of Explore Riverside. The video, accompanied by a caption from a puzzled American asking for the car's identity, sparked a flurry of responses from amused Aussies and car enthusiasts alike.
An Aussie ute has been spotted in the streets of America. Credit: @explore.riverside / Instagram
'Every Aussie just rolls their eyes in common lol,' one commenter chimed in, highlighting the ubiquity of the Holden ute in Australia. 'This is every second car here in Australia,' another added, while a third confirmed, 'That's an Aussie Holden ute.'
The Holden ute's appearance in the US is a rare sight indeed, and it's no surprise that it captured the attention of locals. Holden, a brand that once held a special place in the hearts of many Australians, ceased manufacturing in 2017. The decision by General Motors, Holden's parent company, was attributed to high production costs and the significant investment required to continue operations.
The closure of the Holden manufacturing plant in Adelaide had a profound impact, with a federal government report revealing that 805 workers lost their jobs. However, the end of production has led to an interesting development for car collectors and enthusiasts: the potential for certain Holden models to become highly valuable collectibles.
Cameron Pascoe from Dutton Garage Wholesale in Melbourne speculated that limited edition Holden models 'could be worth hundreds of thousands of dollars in 10 years time.' This prediction is supported by current pricing on carsales.com.au, where a 2016 Holden Commodore can fetch anywhere between $39,900 to $72,500.
The Holden Commodore, first introduced in 1978, was once a staple of the Holden fleet. There were even plans to introduce the Commodores to the US market as the Pontiac G8 in 2008, but the initiative was short-lived, with General Motors halting production just a year later.
Despite the rarity of Aussie vehicles in the US, the love for American-style pick-up trucks has been growing in Australia. Between January and May, Aussies purchased 2,623 full-sized pick-ups, marking a 16.3 percent increase from the previous year. Yet, despite the rising popularity of these American giants, the ute remains a preferred choice for many Australian drivers. The Ford Ranger, for instance, has become the best-selling vehicle in Australia, with 33,531 units sold in the first half of the year.
The unexpected encounter with the Holden ute in California serves as a nostalgic reminder of the once-thriving Australian automotive industry. It also highlights the cultural exchange between the US and Australia, where each country's iconic vehicles inspire curiosity and admiration across the Pacific.
So, to our members who might be feeling a bit homesick or just love a good car story, what do you think about the Holden ute's Californian adventure? Have you spotted any Aussie cars on your travels abroad? Share your stories and thoughts in the comments below – we'd love to hear about your own encounters with automotive icons, whether they're homegrown heroes or international imports!
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