Hyundai Eyes Fullsize Truck in U.S.

Hyundai Motor America considers entering the fullsize pickup market, the potential next move after it launches a spate of car-based models in the U.S. over the next two years.

Although Hyundai has broken into the light-truck market in the U.S. with unibody, car-based cross/utility vehicles, CEO Robert Cosmai tells Ward's he would like to add a body-on-frame pickup to the lineup.

That's a change of direction for Hyundai, which earlier expressed preference for a unibody pickup, similar to the SUT concept truck from Honda Motor Co. Ltd.

Cosmai says an offering is more than three years out. If a program is approved, production likely would take place in North America, he says, unless there's a reduction in the 25% U.S. tariff on pickup trucks.

Cosmai characterizes collaboration with Kia Motors Corp. (a Hyundai subsidiary) as unlikely, even though Kia also wants a pickup for the U.S. and showed a concept truck, the KCV-4 Mojave, at the Chicago auto show this year.

Cosmai says it is important for the two brands to remain distinctive, pointing out that has not been the case in the past, citing the similarity of the new Hyundai Tucson and Kia's revamped Sportage SUV.