Observing the Aussies: Car culture...

They say you can tell alot about a country by the cars they drive. As my faithful readers will know, I've commented on driving in Australia before; but what I'm after here is not a comment on driving or what they drive, but how the people who drive certain cars are perceived.

I'm talking specifically here about a type of vehicle here called a Ute (pronounced "yoot", as in "utility"). In the US we last saw cars like these in that extinct car model called the Chevrolet El Camino; it not being made since the year Prozac was released in the US.

Amazingly utes are, at this moment, being made and sold in Australia. And they are made to appeal to a certain segment of the population. As a matter of fact, you can see exactly who it is marketed to by observing the latest Falcon Ute commercial:



After seeing it, here's a multiple choice for you. This commercial is marketed toward:

a) College students needing a car to four-wheel during spring break

b) Housewives needing transport for kids to a playdate

c) Men who find themselves the topic of the Jeff Foxworthy "You Might Be A Redneck" Tour.

Not even Wal*Mart panders as shamelessly to a demographic.
And that's sayin' something.

- Farmer Ted