Carsguide today announced GM Holden's VE Ute SV6 has won their inaugural Reader's Choice award, one of three cars awarded in the 2007 carsguide Car of the Year awards.

The VE Ute SV6 received almost 20 per cent of the entries registered through the carsguide.com.au website to pick up the award.

All 11 of the carsguide's Car of the Year finalists were in the running, however the VE Ute SV6 took the honours and was described by the Courier Mail's motoring editor, Mark Hinchliffe, as "simply the best-riding ute Australia has produced."

Holden Chairman and Managing Director, Chris Gubbey, said it was an award the whole of GM Holden should be proud to boast.

"To be recognised by car enthusiasts and consumers is a great honour. After all, this is who we build cars for," Mr Gubbey said.

"And because the VE Ute is a vehicle that's conceived, designed, engineered and built from the ground up by employees here in Australia, it makes it even more special.

"Australians have a unique relationship with the Holden Ute and it is fantastic to know that they are as enthusiastic about it as we are proud."

The Daily Telegraph's motoring editor, Kevin Hepworth, praised the car for demonstrating all the inherent benefits of a ute combined with the considerable styling and dynamic advances of the VE range.

"This is simply a fun car that can be driven with all the verve of a sports car, simply cruised along as a comfortable and competent transport, or put to work." Mr Hepworth said.

"Out on the road, the Ute really shines with a compliant suspension that soaks up the worst Australia's country roads can throw at it while relaxing back to a very comfortable highway cruiser."

Alan Jones, editor of carsguide.com.au, said he was delighted with the response to the inaugural carsguide Readers Choice award.

"It's a truly national award supported by News Limited newspapers in every state, and online via carsguide.com.au," Mr Jones said.

"With that level of response from across the country, you couldn't ask for a clearer result: the nation's heart still belongs to this latest iteration of arguably its most iconic car; the Aussie Holden Ute."

This is the first award claimed by the VE Ute which was launched in October and started arriving in Holden Dealerships earlier this month.

Carsguide.com.au 2007 Reader's Choice Award

What the readers said:

• "Aussie designed and made, a bold statement to the rest of the world."
• "The Holden SV6 Ute represents Aussie culture pragmatically and stylishly while delivering an incredible driving experience."
• "With power, good looks and the versatility of a ute, the SV6 Ute has got it all."