Hyundai targets Australia with body-on-frame midsize pickup and hybrid options on the agenda

Hyundai expands its global pickup, targeting the US and Australia, with extended-range hybrid propulsion options and a possible link with GM to differentiate itself.

Hyundai is preparing a global body-on-frame midsize pickup and confirmed that the project will not be restricted to the US. The brand will bring the vehicle to the Australian market, with a local team working with the US teams to make it a true ute in the face of strong Chinese competition.

The Ute segment in Australia represents a relevant slice of the market, estimated at around 20 percent. In this scenario, having its own pickup facilitates the sale of other models in the line, such as the Tucson and Santa Fe, in local retail.

Powertrain Challenge for Australia

Gavin Donaldson, head of operations for Hyundai Australia, did not reveal many details. He explained that development is still in strategic phases and that the launch will likely occur some years in the future, with ongoing collaboration between the teams on both continents.

Donaldson stressed that the engine is a central point of the project and that Hyundai has been consulting with headquarters to define the best option for the Australian market. The Ute market has a history of preference for diesel, while Hyundai currently sells only a 174 hp diesel in the Staria, which is not available in the pickup line.

Hints of Propulsion and Versatility

The regional CEO, Don Romano, has already hinted that there may be a differentiated plug-in hybrid option, suggesting an extended-range system based on recent technology announced by the brand.

Not a Disguised Tasman

The new model will not be a unibody-styled Santa Cruz nor a rebranded Tasman. The body-on-frame construction is seen as essential to compete with the Hilux in the Ute segment. Hyundai also signaled that it might share DNA with Chevrolet, but talks have not yet resulted in a final decision. The possible partnership with GM is being evaluated, with scenarios still open to maintain product differentiation.

Market pressure is heightened by the poor performance of Kia's Tasman, which sold only 3,924 units in a sector where leaders exceed 21,000 per year, which increases the risk of error in Hyundai's strategy.

US Scenario and Production

In the US, the goal is to take on the Toyota Tacoma and an SUV version aimed at the 4Runner. The launch should occur by the end of the decade, with production expected to take place at Hyundai's Georgia factory, which is undergoing an expansion to more than double capacity.

Source: CarExpert

Comment: What do you think Hyundai should prioritize in the powertrain for the Australian pickup — diesel, an extended-range hybrid, or another solution? Leave your opinion in the comments below.