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The world is becoming a smaller place.
And as we become a more global-thinking community so too are businesses planning in a more holistic sense.
Look no further than Ford, and the blue oval brand's 'One Ford' philosophy which has seen a number of vehicles that previously would have been developed for specific regions instead created with the whole world in mind. Cars like the Fiesta, Focus and Escape, and now the Mustang, are all pretty much the same in Australia, Europe and America.
But, as a recent road trip in the US reminded us, there are still several models developed specifically for the huge American market. Some of these American-only models would have appeal for Australian buyers (and some have even been mentioned by Australian brand bosses as being on their 'wish lists') but a suitable business case for right-hand drive can't be made.
So if we ignore the bean-counter's view here some of these US specials that we'd like to see in the land downunder.
And to make it interesting we've restricted our choices to mainstream vehicles and ignored the obvious sporty but niche choices like the Chevrolet Corvette and Dodge Challenger.
Dodge Charger
Australian's have had it good for the last 50 years thanks to locally-made, V8-powered sedans like the Ford Falcon and the Holden Commodore. But with the Falcon gone and the Commodore as we know it headed for the big car park in the sky, Australian sports sedan fans need a new option.
Yes, Dodge's sister brand Chrysler already offers the 300C SRT locally but it lacks the same visual appeal and sporty charisma of the Charger. The 300C is a pseudo-luxury car with a big V8, not a sports sedan in the same vein as the Charger (even though the two share plenty of DNA).
It's also missing the 6.2-litre supercharged V8 Hellcat engine that spits out 527kW, comfortably enough to claim bragging rights over every production car HSV has produced.
While the market for these affordable sports sedans is diminishing it would be nice to see it kept alive by Dodge.
Honda Pilot
If there is a obvious hole in Honda's Australian line-up it's one shaped like a seven-seat SUV sitting above the CR-V. However, that could easily be filled by the Pilot if the Japanese company had decided to build the car in right-hand drive.
The Pilot, powered by a 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine, competes with the likes of the Toyota Kluger and Mazda CX-9 in the US and could do the same here. It is a full-size seven-seater with enough space in the third row for adults and can even be had with a three-seat rear bench to create an eight-seater.
Honda Australia boss Stephen Collins has told Drive in the past of his preference of having both the Pilot and the Ridgeline pick-up (which should get an honourable mention on this list) but can't make the numbers add up.
"I think that would be on our wish-list," Collins told Drive in 2016. "Clearly the two big segments where we don't compete are large SUVs and pick-ups. If there was an appropriate product somewhere in the Honda world we could fill those holes with then we would do that."
Cadillac XT5/ATS/CTS
The American luxury brand seems like a matter of when not if it will arrive in Australia. General Motors has previously told Drive that it wants to get Holden working successfully as a fully-imported brand before it enters the prestige market but the intent remains to bring Caddy down under.
Cadillac's current head of design is former Holden man, Andrew Smith, whose previous work includes the VF Commodore and has said the brand needs to expand its range, and add more right-hand drive options, before it gets serious about a return.
"We're talking about Cadillac in Australia and I see it as a really good fit, but it is a futile exercise until you have exactly the portfolio you need," Smith told Drive at the 2017 Detroit motor show.
"I think the Australian market is an interesting one, it's always been a mix of the European market and the American tastes," he added. "Even though we like to think it is European certainly American tastes are similar. But again it's about having everything we need to make sure we can launch it properly."
But the brand's current range could have appeal to Australian buyers looking for a new luxury alternative in a booming market.
The recently launched XT5 SUV would compete against the likes of the Audi Q5 and BMW X3. The ATS sedan is the American's brands rival to the Mercedes-Benz C-Class and BMW 3-Series, while the larger CTS is closer in size to the E-Class and 5-Series.
In keeping with Australia's love of performance luxury cars, both the ATS and CTS are available in high-performance V Series specification - the ATS-V (pictured) gets a 346kW 3.6-litre twin-turbo V6 and the CTS-V is packing a 477kW supercharged 6.2-litre V8. The perfect cure for those lamenting the demise of HSV's homegrown performance sedans.
Volkswagen Atlas
The German brand is so desperate to crack the American market it has begun tailoring its new models to meet the unique demands of US consumers.
America gets an exclusive version of the Jetta, it's own special Passat and the latest US-only people's car is the Atlas (although it should be pointed out the Atlas will be available in China as well). It's a seven-seat SUV that is a cheaper and more practical family hauler than the five-seat only Touareg.
Despite the impending arrival of the new seven-seat Tiguan Allspace, Volkswagen Australia is still keen to try and convince head office to build the Atlas in right-hand drive. It would give the brand a proper rival to the popular Toyota Kluger, Hyundai Santa Fe and Mazda CX-9.
GMC Yukon/Chevrolet Tahoe
Holden has already announced it will add the GMC Acadia to its local range in 2018 as its seven-seat rival to the likes of the Toyota Kluger and Kia Sorento.
But while that may be a large SUV in Australia, in the US the Acadia is GMC's mid-size model, sitting beneath the Yukon (pictured) and Yukon XL; GMC badged versions of the Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban.
Holden previously tried selling the Suburban in Australia in the late 1990s but it failed to find a market at the time. These days SUVs are more popular than ever before and the Yukon/Tahoe would give the brand a new option to sit above the Acadia and the rest of its rivals, creating a new market for extra large SUVs.
Ram 1500
Yes, you can currently buy a right-hand drive version of the Ram 2500 and 3500 in Australia. But they are conversions and are targeted at those willing to pay a premium for heavy duty towing capability.
In contrast, the smaller Ram 1500 has been on the radar of Fiat Chrysler Australia for sometime in the hope it can convince the US bosses to build the next generation model in right-hand drive from the factory.
It would give the brand a much-needed rival to the incredibly popular Toyota HiLux, Ford Ranger and co. as local buyers continue to flock to dual-cab utes for both work and play.
The current 1500 is available with both a V6 turbo diesel and Hemi V8, something that would make it unique in the Australian market.
With a payload of 550kg it is at a disadvantage to its one-tonne rivals but its towing capacity is 3400kg, which is highly competitive.
It is an expansive range from the hard-working Tradesman to the more luxurious Laramie Longhorn and the sporty Rebel so there is something for every would-be Australian customer.
Nissan Maxima
Nissan Australia's decision to abandon the Altima mid-size sedan is easy to understand, as it was quite simply highly forgettable despite it being used as the company's Supercar racer. It's combination of bland styling and mediocre driving dynamics meant it stood little chance against the dominant Toyota Camry, more stylish Mazda6 and more dynamic Ford Mondeo.
Which makes it hard to believe Nissan is the same company that makes the Maxima in the US. In contrast to the Altima, the slightly bigger Maxima features bold styling, a punchy V6 engine and a more premium interior. It is tuned for more dynamic driving too.
It earns positive reviews in the US, and Car and Driver even rates it the best in class. A shame then that it's left-hand drive only because Nissan Australia's passenger car range could do with a shot in the arm at the moment.
Tell us in the comments below what other US-only cars you'd like to see sold in Australia
17 Comments
Well my first on the list would have been Corvette ZR1, second Dodge Viper, but both are out of production.
Regardless of which US built models actually make it to Oz they will need to substantially lift their quality control. The number of supposedly hard to get Mustangs has a startling number listed for sale on several websites. Googling Mustangs problems should make buyers of US cars wary and rue the day our car industry hit the wall. Then again maybe they are not as fussy as buyers of other imported makes.
I think that is just because it is a Ford, not because it is a U.S car.
Dodge Charger... Why!? This country is awash with average V8 sedans. We need the Dodge Challenger and Chevy Camaro. Probably the best looking, most fun US made cars for sale today. The people that can afford the fuel bills for the big pickups and SUVs have already imported and converted them.
The only American vehicles we should buy in Australia are Tesla electric cars. The rest are just gas-guzzling Yank Tanks.
Really we need more hideous SUV's like a hole in the head and that Maxima is one of the 10 ugliest cars of all time, bold styling indeed, talk about a euphemism.
Agree with many of the comments. The dodge looks cheap and most american cars are somewhere back in the 80s quality wise. We don't need any more SUVs in our market. The two trucks are too big for our roads, carparks and driveways and the Maximum looks like somone tacked a GTR front on a Subaru SVX.
Bethel, the reason the Charger makes sense is : 1. We don't need a competitor to the Mustang (volumes don't justify the Challenger plus the Camaro, and both are reaching the end of their lives with replacements unlikely based on sales volumes for the US), 2. There will not be any more average V8 sedans come 2018. Your options are the oversize and dated 300C, and the insanely over-priced and unreliable C63, 3. the Charger name has plenty of cachet in Australia. Australia's fastest accelerating car for 25 years from memory (1972-88), 4. reasonably attractive and modern design (by US standards). I am far from a fan of larger utes (especially those driven by cashed-up, cash-in-hand tax dodging tradies who seem to flock to the Ford Ranger), but this seems to be the logical market and I don't understand why FCA haven't jumped in with the 1500. A RHD conversion isn't difficult on such an agricultural design, and a V10 version would make those same cashed-up tradies priapic with joy. The Cadillac line is one of opportunity missed for GM. They make some very good vehicles (again, in relative terms for a US manufacturer), price isn't going to be a problem given the Euro RRP we see here, and they are visually not bad either (certainly far nicer than the Lexus HSV-style grille designs, which would be the logical competitor here, although I can't see GM getting withing cooee of Lexus' fit and finish quality which is better than anything the Europeans can achieve (Porsche being a notable exception, but look at the price). Another vehicle that could be brought across is the small VW ute (can't recall the name) found in South America. With the Brumby long gone due to Subaru stupidity, and the Jumbuck dying an overdue death, there is still a niche waiting to be filled.
Looking forward to the 50 Japanese cars we need in Australia companion piece. Start with the Honda S660 & go from there.
If there is something that characterises US cars it is the poor build quality and poor roadholding we have upgraded you to an SUV (or Jeep) are words you never want to hear at a US car rental company
Jimmy G! I own a Jeep Grand Cherokee, 2013 model and have had nothing go wrong with it (touch wood this continues). On the other hand, I had a BMW that spent more time in the shop, VW with transmission problems as soon as 3 years was up and so on...Think you are still living in the past with regards to poor build quality from the U.S, because each brand has their own little nuances. European cars are not what they used to be! Ever leant on a Mercedes these days...the front quarter panels dent! All to save weight and meet regulations.
You know, now that we don't have a car manufacturing segment to protect, is there any reason why we need to have archaic legislation that says we need to drive right hand drive cars? Why can't we be like the Japanese who drive on the same side of the road but have both LHD and RHD cars? Would allow imports from all markets and no more excuse about commercial viability of building a RHD version of the car...and this story would be redundant!
Honda can't sell a seven seat (or eight) SUV in Australia? LOL!
How about the four electric Fords soon coming. Mustang and F100 included. Definitely need the Camaro and Challenger. SUV's pfff. Who needs boring cars that look like lunchboxes on wheels?
Jur, It's because we have spineless politicians. We can drive a 25 year or older car left hand drive but not a new one! It took long enough to get LHD for older cars. Don't expect they could make the leap to new cars any time soon. Too much lobbying by the car companies to let that happen.
Steve 0... Agree mate, But why would car companies still lobby for it now that we don't have an Australians car manufacturing industry anymore? Imagine the variety of cars we would have available to the Australian public if they just removed that dumb law. And would probably be cheaper options for us too as the manufacturers will not have to make both versions of the same car.
Wish the septics would re-introduce the Explorer, it's a great piece of machinery and I'd love one.