Hyundai Santa Cruz Based Trucklet Nearing Production - Who Will Follow?

Look for Hyundai to add two important new models in the near future, including a production version of the unusual Santa Cruz pickup concept first unveiled at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit last January.

The automaker is also likely to add a new subcompact crossover to compete with the likes of the Chevrolet Trax and Jeep Rendezvous, said Dave Zuchowski, chief executive officer of Hyundai Motor North America. While final approval on both projects has yet to come from Hyundai headquarters in South Korea, Zuchowski said he is confident the carmaker will move ahead with both projects.

HughJass - 5/21/2015 2:15:26 PM

+6 Boost

Hyundai is claiming to have invented the truck now? The Koreans should ask Honda and Ford how a truck with a useless size bed sold.

Will sell about as well as that Velosturd that nobody asked them to build.

jtz7 - 5/22/2015 10:29:51 AM

-3 Boost

What a very attractive looking pick up.

MDarringer - 5/21/2015 7:53:42 PM

+1 Boost

The lifestyle pickup is bound to make a resurgence with CAFE. Mini/Golf/Focus/Cruze etc. car-based pickups could be very profitable niche vehicles. This and the Honda Ridgeline make more sense than the Canyon/Colorado as the "car-izing" of pickups, but truly small pickups are worth a gamble.

dumpsty - 5/22/2015 11:37:23 AM

+1 Boost

Well gosh! I hope Dodge is brushing off the mothballs from the Rampage concept. It would be a very popular entry in this category.

Along with GM's updated mid-sized pickups & possible entries from M-B & VW, this segment could get interesting.

Rvinyl - 5/22/2015 10:03:10 AM

-2 Boost

Every decade someone tries to bring back the El Camino. The Subaru Baja has come and gone and now this...I wish I could say I am horrified but I actually kind of like it.

HughJass - 5/22/2015 3:32:33 PM

+1 Boost

It's Korean, will be advertised as cutting edge, all the rage. Typical strategy. All hype, no hope.

HughJass - 5/22/2015 3:29:52 PM

+1 Boost

I guess when you gov't guarantees to cover any of your losses, you might as well throw everything at the wall and see what sticks.

It appears to have a suicide door. Wonder how much they'll put into marketing it as the latest craze like they did on that other retard car with the suicide door.