Photo: Hyundai
In a time where SUVs are seen as last-resort solutions for adding more income in a carmaker's bank accounts, the pickup truck might present an alternative solution. Hyundai, for example, have been linked to building such a model, but more rumors have emerged.
When Hyundai presented the Santa Cruz Crossover Truck prototype in Detroit, South-Korean officials were looking to gather reactions from the public and media. They eventually got what they wanted, and it seems the feedback was positive. As a result, they might consider putting the Santa Cruz into production.
Sure, we knew that already from Hyundai Motor Co’s Park Byung-cheol, but the official was also aware of the challenges brought by such an attempt. However, Edmunds reports that instead of building a new car from the ground up, Hyundai will borrow components from the front-wheel drive 2016 Tucson SUV.
Of course, for utilitarian reasons, the pickup will feature an all-wheel drive system and it could also show a cute face, considering the Tucson's fresh and attractive styling cues.
Speaking to the same source, Scott Margason, Hyundai Motor America's director of product planning explained his company will "not be starting from scratch with this vehicle". He also went on to state "a lot of active work going on within the company in terms of whether we take that concept to production."
If the Santa Cruz truck gets greenlighted for production, we might be looking at a potential cash cow for Hyundai. Although it's still very early to tell for sure, we could be looking at a car wearing a $25,000 price tag.
Nevertheless, Hyundai might lack the know how on pickup underpinnings and V6 engines, but thinking about the matter, they might not need it. At least not since the clientele for a Santa Cruz truck would be looking to explore the car's rough side, not it's acceleration time or precise steering.
Sure, we knew that already from Hyundai Motor Co’s Park Byung-cheol, but the official was also aware of the challenges brought by such an attempt. However, Edmunds reports that instead of building a new car from the ground up, Hyundai will borrow components from the front-wheel drive 2016 Tucson SUV.
Of course, for utilitarian reasons, the pickup will feature an all-wheel drive system and it could also show a cute face, considering the Tucson's fresh and attractive styling cues.
Speaking to the same source, Scott Margason, Hyundai Motor America's director of product planning explained his company will "not be starting from scratch with this vehicle". He also went on to state "a lot of active work going on within the company in terms of whether we take that concept to production."
If the Santa Cruz truck gets greenlighted for production, we might be looking at a potential cash cow for Hyundai. Although it's still very early to tell for sure, we could be looking at a car wearing a $25,000 price tag.
Nevertheless, Hyundai might lack the know how on pickup underpinnings and V6 engines, but thinking about the matter, they might not need it. At least not since the clientele for a Santa Cruz truck would be looking to explore the car's rough side, not it's acceleration time or precise steering.
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