General
ute
What does ute mean?
A utility vehicle with an open cargo tray at the back.
"Chuck the tools in the back of the ute."
Origin
Australian abbreviation of 'utility vehicle'. The coupe utility was pioneered by Ford Australia in 1934, and the term has been Aussie shorthand ever since.
Frequently asked questions
What does ute mean in Australia?
A ute is a utility vehicle — a car with an open cargo tray at the back, similar to an American pickup truck.
Where did the ute come from?
Ford Australia built the first coupe utility in 1934, supposedly after a farmer's wife wanted a vehicle for church and for carting pigs.
Is a ute the same as a pickup?
Roughly — Americans say pickup, Aussies say ute, though utes are often built on car platforms.
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