Hyundai is playing a bit of catch up in the popular crossover segment, but it plans to add two new models at both ends of its lineup next year. We will get to see the seven-passenger 2020 Hyundai Palisade later this month and now Hyundai has confirmed plans to add a small A-segment crossover, below the Kona as well.
Hyundai CEO, Wonhee Lee recently sat down with Automotive News and provided a few hints about Hyundai’s future. Hyundai’s sales have slumped lately due to an over reliance on sedans, while buyers have ditched them in favor of crossovers. Hyundai now plans to fix that in the next few years with the introduction of two new crossovers next year, in addition to three crossovers for the Genesis luxury brand.
“We believe SUVs will continually gain share while the passenger-car segment loses territory. Our strategy is to launch more SUVs in the lineup in the U.S. market. We have a plan to launch an A-segment SUV early next year and also an E-segment seven-seater SUV next year.”
Hyundai has also been hinting at a pickup truck in the last few years and Hyundai has confirmed that it is working on a new pickup based on the next-generation Tucson. The pickup was previewed with the Santa Cruz concept and Hyundai hopes to have it on the market by 2021 or 2022.
Even with the addition of more crossovers, Hyundai also plans to increase the number of eco-friendly models from the current 8 to 20 models by 2025. The new eco-friendly models will also include more electrified models with solid-state batteries. “I think from 2023 to 2024, when we launch new electrified vehicles, probably solid-state batteries will be available.”
Source: Automotive News
