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Few vehicles in recent memory have stirred up as much controversy as the upcoming "Ute" derivative of the Pontiac G8. For those of us Yanks unfamiliar with down-under automotive lingo, a "Ute" is a half-car, half-truck contraption similar in concept to the Ford Ranchero and Chevy El Camino sold here in decades past.
There doesn't seem to be any neutral territory in this debate. There are those that have already predicted it's going to be a colossal flop before the first once has floated across the Pacific, and others that absolutely love it and vow to be one of the first to buy one.
Nobody is predicting it's going to sell in the hundreds of thousands. Let's face it, a quasi-car/truck/sports car has a limited market here in the U.S. But if the sales goals for the Pontiac Ute are relatively modest, say 5,000-10,000 a year, there's a good chance that it will be a worthwhile addition to the lineup, and at least show that owner GM's innovative and willing to take chances.
 However, there is one thing GM could do to broaden the appeal of its Aussie oddball. The previous-generation Ute was offered in a Crew Cab configuration, giving it seating capacity at least somewhat family-friendly. As it is, with just two seats, the G8 Ute's audience will likely be limited to active single males and nostalgic empty-nester boomers that have fond memories of the El Camino or Ranchero.
Granted, a crew cab Ute would not exactly be a "compact" vehicle, but if the marketshare explosion of crew-cab half-ton trucks in the last five years is any indication, this configuration would certainly add to its popularity.
Likewise, the G8 and its derivatives have come under fire for being less than fuel efficient. Easy fix for that. Offer the 2.9 Motori V-6 turbodiesel or Duramax 4500. Diesel not your bag? Perhaps a two-mode hybrid option.
My guess is one or more of these derivatives are in development. Don't be surprised to see a 4-door ute in 2011 or '12. Either that or, in typical GM style, the 2-door will be dropped after its third year, before it was able to realize its full potential. Hopefully GM won't let that happen.
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