Hyundai executives have given the green light to develop the production version of the Santa Cruz bakkie concept.
This was confirmed by Hyundai Motor America’s vice president of corporate and product planning, Michael J. O’Brien, in an interview with Reuters were he stated that the pickup will be offered in the United States but did not give a timeline as to when it will arrive, however rumour mills suggest 2020.
Santa Cruz crossover bakkie concept
This will be the first time that the company will be venturing into the very competitive bakkie market in the United States. This decision comes as part of broader plan to move away from sedans in one of the Korean automaker’s most important markets.
The Santa Cruz concept was positioned as a lifestyle vehicle similar to the Honda Ridgeline (available int he US) but no more details have been given about the production version.
As part of Hyundai’s future plans, Reuter’s reported that the company intends to introduce a redesigned version of the Santa Fe Sport next year and an all-new seven-seat crossover which will replace the Santa Fe in the US and is expected in early 2019. A redesigned Tucson is expected by 2020.