Hyundai Truck with Body-on-Frame Design Set to Arrive in the US by 2030, SUV Expected to Follow.

      Hyundai

      The most significant auto news and reviews, without the nonsense.

      Our free daily newsletter delivers the essential stories right to you every weekday.

      If you’re a regular reader of The Drive, you might have caught a brief mention in this morning’s edition of The Downshift about Hyundai's plan to introduce a midsize pickup in the United States by the close of the decade. This information emerged from Hyundai’s investor presentation in New York City this morning. However, upon further analysis, it appears that Hyundai is actually gearing up for a comprehensive body-on-frame initiative targeting the U.S. market, potentially resulting in both a midsize truck and an SUV.

      “Pickup trucks represent a unique opportunity that we are prepared to seize,” stated CEO José Muñoz during his presentation. “The midsize truck segment is one of the largest and most lucrative within the industry. Since the introduction of the Santa Cruz in 2021, we have gained valuable experience and established a presence in this segment.”

      “Now, we are set to launch a new body-on-frame model before 2030 to enhance our truck lineup, with the possibility of an SUV variant,” he added. “This expansion enables us to extend our reach and connect directly with customers at the core of the U.S. market.”

      Muñoz then shifted (somewhat ironically) to updates regarding the company’s electrification initiatives, leaving us with just that enticing snippet.

      This indicates that we are not only set to receive a new midsize, body-on-frame Hyundai pickup before 2030, but quite possibly an SUV as well, positioning Hyundai to compete with the Toyota 4Runner and, to a lesser degree, the Jeep Wrangler and Ford Bronco.

      Just last year, we learned that GM and Hyundai had established a partnership to explore collaborative development opportunities. While initial rumors hinted that Hyundai might acquire a pickup through this collaboration, it is more likely intended for other global markets. This latest announcement suggests that Hyundai will develop its own platform and vehicle for the trucks destined for the U.S.

      Currently, our only example of a Hyundai pickup is the Santa Cruz. It’s a decent little truck, but similar to the Ford Maverick, it is somewhat limited by the fact that it shares its basic framework with a small unibody crossover. In Hyundai’s case, since it was designed more as a lifestyle truck rather than a practical pickup, the Santa Cruz’s capabilities aren’t notably impressive.

      Moreover, a new midsize body-on-frame platform could serve as a launching pad for Hyundai into various truck-related segments, from larger pickups to upscale off-road SUVs. Just imagine, by the middle of the next decade, Genesis could be producing its own version of a Geländewagen. What an interesting prospect, right?

      Have a tip? Reach out to us at [email protected]