Is Hyundai already planning to go after Tesla’s new Cybertruck? Following a teardown and evaluation of the Tesla Cybertruck, Hyundai needs to make a comeback within the US pickup truck market.
Hyundai tears down the Tesla Cybertruck for evaluation
Hyundai Motor Firm, together with Kia and Genesis, had a record-setting 12 months within the US in 2023. After topping Jeep proprietor Stellantis, Honda, and Nissan in gross sales final 12 months, Hyundai turned America’s fourth-largest automaker.
Now that the ball is within the South Korean automaker’s courtroom, Hyundai doesn’t plan on letting up. Hyundai is lacking out on one of many largest segments within the US auto market: pickup vans.
In accordance with Cox Automotive, full-size pickup vans accounted for 13.7% of recent automobile gross sales in June, topping midsize (5.4%) and compact vehicles (7.6%).
A brand new unique report from Korea’s Naver claims Hyundai’s Namyang Analysis Heart started tearing down the Tesla Cybertruck (see our overview) for evaluation final month. After testing was full on July 28, the xEV TF workforce accountable for EREV analysis and growth is making it a precedence.
Plans to overcome the surging US pickup market
Hyundai and Kia need to “conquer” the US pickup market, in accordance with the report. Hyundai plans to construct over 50,000 extended-range electrical autos (EREV) per 12 months beginning in 2029.
However, Kia has been teasing its first pickup, the Tasman, forward of its debut later this 12 months.
The Kia pickup will launch in Korea, Australia, Africa, and the Center East within the first half of 2025. Nonetheless, Kia has but to announce if it’s going to land within the US.
Kia introduced plans in 2022 to launch two electrical pickups: one devoted mannequin and one other for strategic rising markets.
Following the Tesla Cybertruck teardown, will we see an electrical Hyundai or Kia pickup hit the US? The report claims Hyundai is specializing in EREV tech following China’s large-scale affect on the Beijing Motor Present.
This isn’t the primary time Hyundai has examined a rival model’s electrical pickup. Final month, a Ford F-150 Lightning with Korean take a look at plates was noticed close to Hyundai’s facility.
Tesla’s Cybertuck topped Ford’s Lightning in US registrations in Might to turn into the top-selling electrical pickup. In accordance with S&P World Mobility information, the Cybertruck was the fifth top-selling EV within the US in Might, whereas the Lightning was quantity 10.
With the Tesla Cybertruck and Ford F-150 Lightning noticed in Hyundai’s yard, a pickup appears greater than seemingly.
Hyundai’s Santa Cruz was anticipated to be the one, however it ranked twelfth in US pickup gross sales final 12 months. Hyundai has offered about 20,500 Santa Cruz fashions within the US by July 2024, 10% fewer than final 12 months.
Ford has offered over 421,000 F-Collection vans up to now this 12 months, with almost 18,500 being Lightning fashions.
In the meantime, Hyundai is wrapping up ultimate testing on its first three-row electrical SUV, the IONIQ 9. Hyundai is anticipated to formally unveil the IONIQ 9 in November on the LA Auto Present because the automaker seems to be to maintain the momentum going.
Would you purchase Hyundai or Kia’s pickup? Or are you sticking with Tesla’s Cybertruck or the F-150 Lightning? Tell us within the feedback.
Supply: Naver
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