Hyundai Unveils Plans for a Larger Pickup Truck: Taking on the Mighty Ford Ranger Let me know if you would like me to continue crafting compelling content for your project!

This information comes from Don Romano, Executive Director of Hyundai Australia, who shared the news with local media. Romano stated that the company is in the process of researching and developing a strategic plan for a true pickup truck that will be more robust and practical than the current Santa Cruz, which is a unibody pickup with a crossover-oriented design.

Despite their close relationship and previous collaborations on electric vehicles, Hyundai affirmed that they will not merely rebadge the Kia Tasman. The company intends to create a unique offering.

The choice of platform will significantly impact the timeline of the project. If Hyundai opts for a body-on-frame construction, similar to the Tasman, development will be faster, and the truck could be launched sooner. However, the company is also considering other product strategies, including powertrain options.

Another scenario suggested by Romano is the potential collaboration between Hyundai and General Motors. While the details of this partnership have not been disclosed, Hyundai could leverage GM’s existing pickup truck platforms (such as the Colorado or Silverado) to expedite the development process.

“Hyundai aims to put this project into production and establish a distribution system within the next three years,” shared Romano. “The alliance with GM is not solely for pickups but also to expand strategic options for other vehicle lines.”

Even though Hyundai possesses modern electric vehicle platforms capable of supporting a pickup truck, Romano exercised caution when discussing this direction. According to him, the Australian market is not yet fully receptive to electric pickups, hence the possibility of a diesel or hybrid model being more feasible in the initial phase.

While Hyundai has not disclosed a specific timeline, their leadership’s determination and proactive approach to seeking partnerships indicate that their first “true” pickup truck could arrive within a few years, possibly as early as the late 2020s.

With this move, Hyundai will officially enter the highly competitive global market for mid-size and full-size pickup trucks, currently dominated by established players such as Ford, Toyota, Isuzu, and Mitsubishi.

TH (Tuoitrethudo)