For non-Australians, "ute" is the widely-used abbreviation for "utility vehicle".
It's really only since the demise of Ford and Holden in recent years that "ute" has been used to describe an American-style pickup like a Ford Ranger or VW Amarok with an enclosed tray.
Maybe someone will do an electric "Sandman" panelvan conversion. The petrol fumes were always terrible driving around with the back open.