Hyundai confirms development of all-new full-size pickup truck

After years of staying out of the full-size pickup truck game, Hyundai has finally confirmed it will develop an all-new model.

Video : What does KIA Tasman have to compete with Toyota Hilux and Ford Ranger?

This information was shared by Mr. Don Romano - CEO of Hyundai Australia with the local press. He said that the company is in the process of researching and building a specific plan to develop a true pickup model, much stronger and more practical than the current Santa Cruz, which is just a unibody pickup with a crossover style.

Despite having a close relationship with Kia and having worked together on a number of electric vehicles, Hyundai has insisted it will not simply create a rebranded version of the Kia Tasman.

The choice of platform is also a factor in determining the launch date. If Hyundai chooses a body-on-frame structure, like the Tasman, development will be faster and the car could be launched sooner. However, the company is still considering further product directions, including powertrain options.

Another scenario that Romano left open is the possibility that Hyundai will leverage its strategic partnership with General Motors to develop a new pickup truck. While details of the partnership have not been made clear, Hyundai could leverage GM’s existing pickup truck platform (like the Colorado or Silverado) to shorten development time.

“Hyundai’s goal is to move this project into production and build a distribution network within the next three years,” Romano said. “The alliance with GM is not just for pickups, but also to expand strategic options for other vehicle lines.”

While Hyundai already has modern electric vehicle platforms capable of supporting a battery-powered pickup, Romano is cautious about this direction, saying the Australian market isn’t ready for a pure electric pickup, so a diesel or hybrid model might be more viable in the early stages.

Although Hyundai has not announced a specific schedule, with the determination from the leadership and the initiative in finding a platform, it is likely that the company's first "true" pickup truck will appear in the next few years, possibly as early as the end of this decade.

With this new move, Hyundai will officially join the fierce competition in the global mid-size and large pickup truck segment - where names like Ford, Toyota, Isuzu and Mitsubishi have long dominated.

Source: https://khoahocdoisong.vn/hyundai-xac-nhan-phat-trien-xe-ban-tai-co-lon-hoan-toan-moi-post1545621.html