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the australian farmer
What’s Next? We contacted several major ute brands about what’s ahead. Not all responded, but Isuzu Ute Aus- tralia, importer of the D-Max, of- fered this: “As part of our due diligence, we’ll continue to monitor the local market and work with the factory to meet Australian needs, whether that’s hybrid, BEV, diesel, or otherwise.” In other words, no matter how the tech evolves – battery, diesel, hybrid, or hydrogen – the Great Aussie Utility Vehicle is here to stay. For all the innovation ahead in hybrids, electrics, light trucks, the ute isn’t going anywhere. It may evolve, but its place on the farm is secure. Russell Meadley puts it plainly: “I’d love a hybrid one day, but for now, the old diesel does everything I need. It’s not about flash, it’s about function. When you’ve got materials to shift, gear to haul, and no power on the block, a tough 4WD ute just makes sense.” And that, perhaps, is the heart of the Aussie ute’s staying power: it’s not just transport. It’s a part- ner in the work, and the future. Geoff Middleton has spent dec- ades as a journalist, and in the last year specialised on trucks and commercial vehicles. He holds a multi-combination heavy
streets to rural areas. “Our 4.5 tonne car-licence range of trucks is available in a wide variety of configurations— from tippers to trays and service bodies, narrow to crew cabs, and of course 4x4s,” said. “We see Isuzu trucks hard at work, pitching in on everything from plumbing jobs to getting feed to stock on farms. And with the inherent advantages of a truck over a ute as a work vehicle — think more payload, a bigger load space, excellent manoeuvrability, and truck-tough components— well switched-on local operators see the advantages and are mak- ing the smart choice. “Plus, we’ve got an all-new range to offer with more safety, more per- formance, and more features.” For farmers who value durabil- ity and practicality over badge appeal, light trucks are fast be- coming the smarter choice.
detailed specs are yet to be con- firmed, range, towing, and char- ging infrastructure will be critical factors for farmers. Questions re- main about how well early elec- tric utes will perform under load in remote or off-grid conditions. The Light Truck Option Are utes the only answer? Not any- more. As light trucks become more comfortable and user-friendly, many rural operators are turning to them for extra load-hauling and towing capacity. Isuzu Australia Limited (IAL), Australia’s top-selling truck brand for over 30 years, has seen strong demand for its 4.5-tonne car-licence range. Isuzu’s Head of Sales, Craig White, says the company promotes “the right tool for the job”, high- lighting their light trucks, which can be driven on a car licence, as versatile for everything from city
vehicle licence and is known for cutting through hype to de- liver the facts.
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