The new head of Hyundai in Australia says the South Korean automaker will finalise its plans to offer a right-hand-drive bakkie before the end of 2025…
The highest-ranking Hyundai executive in Australia says the South Korean brand will finalise its plans to offer a right-hand-drive (RHD) bakkie before the end of 2025, suggesting that several options remain on the table.
CarExpert asked Don Romano – who was recently appointed President and CEO of Hyundai Motor Company Australia as well as Advisor for Hyundai Motor Asia & Pacific Region – about his company’s plans to introduce some form of pick-up.
“We’re not there; we’re going to be there this year. We’re going to come up with a solution that everybody can say, ‘yeah, this works for me’,” Romano told the Aussie publication.
Of course, a number of potential solutions exist. For instance, there have long been rumours of the unibody Santa Cruz being built in right-hand drive, while Hyundai is known to be developing an electric pick-up, too. In addition, the company could theoretically build a bakkie based on the new ladder-frame Tasman from sister brand, Kia.
“We’re going to have to find that common denominator that’s going to fit both Australia and global. So, there’ll be some compromise – that compromise could be a diesel, could be a hybrid, it could be a plug-in hybrid,” Romano revealed. “Whether we go with an electric ute, it would not be my preference, but I would take it and that is something that is already under development.”
However, Romano’s next comment unsurprisingly suggested first prize would be a body-on-frame contender to take on the segment’s strongest sellers: the Toyota Hilux and Ford Ranger.
“What I think we need is something that competes against the number one and number two in the market, and they’re dominant players. That’s what sells here; that’s what customers want. I think every major manufacturer has one, and I don’t think you can be a viable brand without one.
“There’s absolutely nothing wrong with the Tasman body-on-frame – it’s a great infrastructure to build from. I have concerns with diesel, although I would take a diesel short-term if I know that the evolution was going in a different direction,” he said, before hinting such a project would be a longer-term proposition.
In October 2024, the head of Hyundai Automotive South Africa confirmed to Cars.co.za that the brand’s local division was “in discussions” with its head office in Korea about the possibility of introducing a double-cab bakkie, though added “there are no definite plans” for now.
Gideon Jansen van Rensburg, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Hyundai Automotive South Africa (though set to become CEO of Motus SA Retail from 1 July 2025) told us the company was actively “looking for solutions” in terms of a right-hand-drive bakkie.
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