Australian MPs at the state and local level have delivered a shocking rebuke to owners of American jumbo trucks, with one councillor describing some owners as "idiots", and a state MP demanding to see "less on our roads".
The key criticisms come from Samantha Ratnam, Leader of the Victorian Greens and Member for Northern Metropolitan Region, who calls for increased registrations costs as a way of seeing "less of these monster cars on our streets.”
“Large utes have a role in regional areas, but these luxury vehicles – that often cost upwards of $100,000 – have significantly higher emissions, and are more dangerous for pedestrians and cyclists than regular passenger cars,” she wrote on Instagram.
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“If we want to lower our transport emissions and reduce road fatalities, we need to see less of these monster cars on our streets.
“It’s an undeniable fact that super-sized vehicles are dangerous. They have blind spots up to four metres in front of the vehicle.
“And it is no coincidence that a child is eight times more likely to die being hit by a larger utility vehicle when compared to a lighter car. Not to mention the astonishing amount of pollution caused by these beasts.”
But Ratnam's criticisms pale in the face of Yarra City Council councillor Stephen Jolly's criticisms, with the inner-city Melbournian labelling anyone who buys a large vehicle and lives in an urban area an "idiot", as the council studies higher parking fees as a way to deter people driving bigger vehicles into its LGA.
"If you live in Fitzroy with the tiny streets that exist and you buy yourself a Hummer, you’re an absolute idiot and you need to be dealt with, with whatever way that council can deal with it,” Jolly said.
But it would appear the buyers of these trucks, many of whom do not live in urban Melbourne, aren't listening, Ram and Chevrolet are locked in a fierce battle to determine Australia's favourite American pick-up truck. Year-to-date figures paint a close picture between the two brands, with the latter securing 1519 sales so far in 2024, and Ram holding the lead with 1637 units delivered.
The Chevrolet Silverado opens with the 1500 LTZ Premium and now costs $130,500 before on-road costs after $2500 price increase earlier this year, attributed to the addition of the brand's active performance exhaust. It's powered by a monstrous 6.2-litre petrol V8 generating 313kW of power and 624Nm of torque.
The Ram 1500 family opens with the 1500 Big Horn short wheelbase, yours for $119,950 before on-road costs. It's powered by a 5.7-litre petrol V8, good for 291kW and 556Nm.
Soon to join the fray will be the Toyota Tundra, which is still under an on-road evaluation before official sales begin.
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