{"id":653688,"date":"2013-04-22T08:00:02","date_gmt":"2013-04-22T12:00:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.tundraheadquarters.com\/blog\/?p=10459"},"modified":"2013-04-22T08:00:02","modified_gmt":"2013-04-22T12:00:02","slug":"hyundai-santa-cruz-pickup-truck-by-2017","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mereja.media\/index\/653688","title":{"rendered":"Hyundai Santa Cruz Pickup Truck by 2017?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Rumors of a Hyundai pickup truck have been flying around for a few years now, with the most substantial being a rumored tie-up with Chrysler-Fiat<\/a>. While that particular rumor has died, a new (and well sourced) rumor has Hyundai importing a mid-size pickup truck in 2017<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The truck would be based on the long wheel base version of the Santa Fe, would be built in Korea (Ulsan), and would challenge the Tacoma, the soon-to-debut Chevy Colorado, and the Nissan Frontier for a slice of the North American pickup truck market. This truck would also be sold outside North America to compete with the Ford Ranger and Toyota Hilux.<\/p>\n

\"Hyundai<\/a><\/p>\n

This rendering of the rumored Hyundai pickup based on the Santa Fe – which we’re calling the Santa Cruz – looks feasible, doesn’t it? Click for a larger view.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

What follows is an analysis of this rumored truck, with informed estimates about this truck’s name, configuration, and specs. As always, we’ve taken the time to consult with various sources in the industry when preparing this estimate. This isn’t to say that what we’re presenting here is factual, but we feel it’s a good first guess at Hyundai’s future truck plans…and there are a lot of reasons to expect this pickup in 2017 or 2018<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n

First, Why Is Hyundai Going To Start Selling Trucks?<\/h2>\n

There are a few great reasons for Hyundai to start selling trucks in 2017:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. The “chicken tax”, a 25% tariff on imported trucks, expires in 2017.<\/li>\n
  2. Fuel economy and emissions regulations will force full-size truck manufacturers to add on a lot of expensive fuel saving features beginning in 2017. As full-size truck prices increase, the market for mid-size trucks (which won’t need the same costly fuel sipping features) could grow.<\/li>\n
  3. The cost of developing a pickup from the existing Santa Fe platform is relatively cheap compared to developing a truck from scratch. By focusing on 4-door mid-size truck buyers, Hyundai can essentially bolt a bed onto the back of an existing platform and start selling (eg., the Honda Ridgeline).<\/li>\n
  4. Trucks are generally very profitable, and profits are the name of this game.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
    \"Hyundai<\/a><\/p>\n

    The bed in this rendering is probably a bit too short when compared to the likely truck we’ll see (which should have a 5 foot bed). However, you get the idea. Click for a larger view.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

    What’s In A Name?<\/h2>\n

    We’ve guessed that the name of this truck will be the Santa Cruz<\/em>, partially because that name is a logical connection with the parent model Santa Fe, and partially because Hyundai seems to like naming their products after cities in the Southwestern USA.<\/p>\n