Hyundai is considering a new ute, but with a twist
Car maker has ignored the lucrative ute market for decades but a change of heart could result in it getting the jump on top-selling rivals.
Hyundai will not invest in a diesel-fuelled dual-cab ute to rival the Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger, saying it “doesn’t make any sense” to develop new combustion-powered machines.
Speaking with Australian media at the global reveal of Hyundai’s Ioniq 6 electric car, Thomas Schemera, vice president of product and planning for the manufacturer, said an electric ute or pick-up could feature in Hyundai’s plans.
“We have a lot of things in the pipeline,” he said.
“Nothing has been confirmed yet. But I can imagine if there is a way to showcase and to compose vehicles like that, for example for Australia or for the US, we’ll make it happen.”
Hyundai’s Australian arm has been crying out for a rival to the Ranger and HiLux for more than a decade.
The brand sells a compact ute in America. Known as the Santa Cruz, it shares hardware with the Tucson SUV and can’t match the one-tonne payload or 3.5 tonne towing capacity of Australian dual-cabs.
Schemera says Australian staff have not stopped asking for a proper ute.
“I have had many, many discussions with the Australian market and I know there is big demand for that and I really respect that,” he said.
“But to start developing vehicles on ICE [internal combustion engine] bases doesn’t make any sense.”
Hyundai is throwing its considerable resources behind electric and hydrogen fuel cell technology for the future The brand is expected to reveal further elements of its plan for electrification in coming days.
Schemera says electric technology gives the brand opportunities to try new things.
“We have already ideas on how to do it but nothing has been decided,” he said.
“We’ll see.”
EV start-up Rivian aims for slice of ute market
Why Nissan’s break-up is not heartbreaking
A failed merger between two of Japan’s iconic car brands will allow each company to pursue their own identity.
‘Unacceptable’: $95bn car merger scrapped
Months after two of the largest car makers announced they were joining forces, an “unacceptable” disagreement has seen the deal called off.
Oversized cars a ‘danger to other people’
New research has revealed a startling truth on popular supersized vehicles affecting other road users.