Hyundai Australia will be very closely monitoring how the most expensive luxury and performance dual-cab utes perform in Australia over the next couple of years.
That's because the local division is preparing to unleash its own high-end one-tonne load-lugger from around 2020, with an eye on the top end of town.
Although Hyundai has not officially green-lit a one-tonne utilitarian pick-up, or ute as we call them here, alongside the company's US-centric lifestyle Santa Cruz pick-up, executives within the company are openly – and positively – talking about such a vehicles Indeed, the company appears confident a one-tonne ute to rival the top-selling Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux will happen if and when a new factory is constructed, with evidence pointing towards Thailand.
Andrew Tuitahi, senior manager of product planning at Hyundai Australia, told motoring.com.au that Australia will play a key role in shaping the new ute.
"We're making our way through the first milestones now, providing feedback to head office as to what key criteria need to be met in order to be successful in Australia. Things like towing capacity, engine performance, off-road ability et cetera," said Tuitahi.
The new ute would be expected to be sold in South-East Asia, Africa, South America and of course Australia. But it's not a slam dunk just yet, explains the Hyundai product boss.
"There's a few things that need to take place before we can really be confident in a product coming to market in the next two or three years. So I think first we need to identify a factory, before we go through more milestones before we build the pickup.
"As it stands right now we don’t really see a suitable location. Once that's been finalised then we'll get through the gates pretty quickly," he said.
heaterswa wrote:
Drool: Mid Engine
micar wrote:
I think it is funny as hell that the company that brought us the Pony and the Stellar, may soon oversee the manufacture of Ferrari's!!
DaveF-250SD wrote:FishOnOne wrote:DaveF-250SD wrote:
The '59 car was heavily modified to produce the "results" they were looking for.
Can you point us to the source of your statement?
The guy that prepped the car did an interview on one of the automotive shows. So many folks were contacting them about the '59 car not having an engine, transmission, or radiator in it, and wondering how the test was not done on an equal basis. With a COMPLETE car, as opposed to a stripped out shell. A lot of other things were done, one of which is they took all the bolts out that held the seat to the floor so it would instantly pop out of place. Many more little things were done, as well.
FishOnOne wrote:DaveF-250SD wrote:
The '59 car was heavily modified to produce the "results" they were looking for.
Can you point us to the source of your statement?
DaveF-250SD wrote:
The British transportation authority tested a smart car into an immovable concrete barrier placed at a 45 degree angle to the car's right side while traveling at 60 kph, or 36 miles per hour. Crash dummy inside has measuring devices which indicated shock values far beyond what the human body can withstand, ruling such a crash with a live person aboard would be guaranteed fatal. The video with the '59 Chevrolet vs. the new Impala is a farce. The '59 car was heavily modified to produce the "results" they were looking for.
