House renovations last year provided me with an insight into the big ute attraction. At 7am each morning the young tradies would arrive and our street would be lined with their new big utes, looking tough and rugged in bright colours. All the mainstream brands were represented, and their lunch time discussions reflected brand loyalties that reminded me of the time when it was all about Holden/Ford/Chrysler performance sedans and coupes. That these tradies were so passionate about their utes is a pleasing sign for the automotive future. Wary will be the politician who suggests they be banned or somehow curtailed.