Hyundai Might Build a Pickup for the US Market Options

[Vinnie]

Hyundai plans to launch a pickup in the US and currently studying what truck size would be the best for this market.

“We do not have a pickup truck. Other than that, we cover almost every segment,” said Lee In-cheol, vice president in charge of international sales. “We are studying that one very hard — what kind of pickup truck we should produce, if we have to. Is it a big-size pickup truck like in the United States or a small kind of pickup truck?”

Although Hyundai has no plans to manufacture a pickup, dealers in the US and other markets are asking for one. The automaker offered no timeline for a decision and said it doesn’t know which market will be the first one to get a Hyundai pickup.

Over the years Hyundai has managed to change its reputation from that of a cheap, low-quality brand into a global automaker known for its smart design and quality products. Even if the automaker has extended into new segments such as crossover, it still does not have a pickup.

“We are doing a good job in recent years without a pickup truck,” Lee said of Hyundai’s sales. “A pickup truck is important, but it’s not a big priority for our company. But we have to consider how to respond. It is under study.”

by Ana Cezara Savin (my Google+) - Monday, April 1st, 2013 - filed under Hyundai, News. Image credit: .

source: http://www.inautonews.com/hyundai-might-built-a-pickup-for-the-us-market#.UVmn3EqRcx0

[Kate31]

As long as the H symbol isn't that big, they should do decently well... lol

[abrahan]

Yeah, thats a photoshopped Dodge Ram.

[Vinnie]

Yea. The source photoshopped it. However there has always been talks of Hyundai and kia making trucks since they do in other countries. Doubtful we'll ever see any.

[Kate31]

lol I'm an idiot, if I would just sit there and actually look at it I would have seen the "Ram" emblem on the side...

[Vinnie]

Not far fetched though.... Dodge is using a Hyundai transmission in the Dodge Dart.

[popeye]

I heard the first country of import will be the DPRK... Their planning on using them for mobile missile launchers.

[Blupupher]

Although this is april 1st, I know Hyundai had been in talks with Dodge/Jeep a while back about some stuff.
If Hyundai had a mid size pick up to compete with the Tacoma I would get it (if it was a body on frame vehicle, not a unibody SUT). As it sits, I will probably be buying a Tacoma in about 2 years.
I don't think they could compete with the full size market.

[Silentwolf]

IF they ever did bring a truck stateside, I'd prefer it to be the small, not fullsize, category. Already plenty of full size truck options, but not enough of the small ones.

[Vinnie]

I'm sure hyundai could scoop up the ranger side of business. Buddy of mine has a f150 and wants a ranger type but not a ford nor import currently on the market.

[Blupupher]

I agree wolf.
Chevy/GMC midsize is just bleh. Ford and Dodge no longer have one (plus the Dakota was almost full size IMO) and I have never really cared for the Nissan Frontier (although nothing really wrong with it, I am just not a Nissan guy). Toyota is pretty much my only option unless I go full size (which I can't afford).

[Vinnie]

I agree wolf.
Chevy/GMC midsize is just bleh. Ford and Dodge no longer have one (plus the Dakota was almost full size IMO) and I have never really cared for the Nissan Frontier (although nothing really wrong with it, I am just not a Nissan guy). Toyota is pretty much my only option unless I go full size (which I can't afford).

There's also the Ridgeline too.