Hyundai Santa Cruz Pickup Likely to be Greenlit in November - Motor Trend
“Our intention at Detroit was to prove to Korea that we have to build [the Santa Cruz],” says Zuchowski. ” A decision on whether to green-light production will be made in Korea at Hyundai’s next global product review in November. The Santa Cruz is part of a push toward a greater focus on trucks and SUVs by Hyundai Motor America. Trucks, crossovers, and SUVs account for about 56 percent of new vehicle sales in the U. S. , and sales growth in this segment is comfortably outpacing that of cars. However, Hyundai’s product lineup is currently about 20 percent truck. of all the mainstream brands in the U. S. , only VW has a lower share of trucks (10 percent) in its lineup. Hyundai Motor America officials believe offering more trucks will boost the company’s sales significantly. As a result, the U. S. market allocation of the new Tucson, which is built in Ulsan, Korea, will be doubled in 2016. “We currently sell 45,000 Tucsons a year,” says Zuchowski. “We could sell 90,000 a year without any additional investment in marketing. ” Zuchowski also says sales of the recently revamped Santa Fe could increase from 70,000 a year to 125,000 a year if more vehicles could be made available from the company’s West Point, Ga. , plant. Toyota once ruled the "Compact Truck" market and NOW. Its one inch thinner and half an inch shorter. From what i see there is apparently a huge market for a full-sized pickup with 6ft beds. Source: wot.motortrend.com
