Hyundai is reportedly working on a new body-on-frame pickup that will rival models, like the Ford Ranger and Toyota Hilux. Hyundai wants a model in the compact pickups segment since they are popular in global markets, like South East Asia and Australia.
Although Hyundai recently teased the idea of a pickup with the Santa Cruz concept, this new pickup will not be a production version of the Santa Cruz. Instead Hyundai needs something more rugged than the Santa Cruz.
“…Santa Cruz is a different proposition. We don’t have any interest in it, even if it happens at all, and in right-hand drive,” Scott Grant, COO of Hyundai’s Australian division, revealed to CarAdvice. “We’re focusing on proper 4×4 and 4×2 trucks.”
Related: Hyundai Kona teaser previews a new compact crossover
The Santa Cruz concept was developed more as a lifestyle vehicle for the United States, but Hyundai has yet to announce any plans to produce it. Given the increasing popularity of midsize pickups in the U.S. and the upcoming return of the Ford Ranger, Hyundai could decide to offer the more rugged, body-on-frame pickup here instead.
Either way, don’t expect to see the new Hyundai pickup until 2020, at the earliest.
Source: CarAdvice
