Holden Unleashes Thunder On Aussie Ute Scene

VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA – April 11, 2011: Holden has boosted the appeal of its high-performing sports utility range with the return of the special edition Thunder nameplate to the VE Series II Ute line-up.

Developed to kick-off the 60th anniversary celebrations of Holden’s original 1951 Ute, the Thunder SV6 and SS models deliver customers a tough-looking package with an impressive $3000 of extra value.

Each Thunder model receives striking charcoal-finished 19-inch alloy wheels, satellite navigation, leather seat bolsters and Thunder badges.

Holden Executive Director of Sales, Marketing and Aftersales John Elsworth said the Thunder range had been designed to cater for Australia’s growing demand for niche sports utility models.

“Over 60 years of production, the Holden ute has evolved from typical tradesman’s transport to two-door sports machine with a practical edge - that’s epitomized by the Thunder range,” Mr Elsworth said.

“It is a really bold, tough looking ute which we think will appeal to many of our traditional sports ute buyers.

“We’re expecting it to be an absolute winner in our showrooms.”

The Thunder Ute will be available with Holden’s powerful Gen IV V8 (SS model) and for the first time the special edition nameplate will also come with the company’s high-performing 3.6-litre SIDI V6 (SV6 model). Both models come standard with a six-speed manual transmission and optional six-speed automatic.

On sale next week around Australia, the Thunder Ute can be purchased for the drive away price of $34,990 (SV6 manual) and $39,900 (SS manual). The range is available in a choice of 10 exterior colours.

Throughout 2011 Holden will be conducting a series of events celebrating 60 years of ute production which began in 1951 with the launch of the 50-2106 Coupe Utility (FX). Since that time it has become a mainstay of the Australian automotive scene and prevailed as an enduring national symbol.