A new strategic partnership between Hyundai and General Motors (GM) could pave the way for the Korean manufacturer to sell a rebadged Chevrolet pickup in Australia – though a different ute is more likely for our market.
Hyundai and GM – the two largest automakers in South Korea and the US, respectively – signed an agreement to explore future partnership opportunities late last year, with the aim “to investigate joint product development, manufacturing and future clean energy technologies”.
It’s expected the vehicle development will centre around electric vehicles (EVs), given the lofty targets of both companies, however Hyundai could also leverage the alliance to increase its exposure to ute markets, both in Australia and worldwide.
While Hyundai sells the Tucson-based Santa Cruz pickup in the US, it still lacks a ute in many key markets including Australia.
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Chevrolet Colorado
Not currently built in right-hand drive, the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon mid-size pickups both still present as candidates for a rebadged Hyundai ute, and HMCA CEO Don Romano has told CarExpert that the option is being weighed up as part of the brand’s future product plan.
“I won’t rule it out,” said Mr Romano.
However, Mr Romano doesn’t see the prospect of a ute shared with GM as a short-term solution to Hyundai’s ute problem Down Under.
Instead, at this stage Hyundai’s first ute in Australia is more likely to be an all-new electric model or a re-skinned Kia Tasman.
“It [GM ute] wouldn’t be my first choice at this stage, given what I know,” said Mr Romano.
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GMC Canyon
“I would prefer to be able to get it out of Korea – given the distribution channel, exchange, ease of doing business, and other products we get from there, it makes a lot more sense from a financial perspective.”
“I would be limited right now to a diesel engine, which I would take if there was a bridge strategy to something that would also meet the towing capacity and the driving requirements that I would need, whether that be a plug-in hybrid or an electric vehicle.
“All those things have to be met, and that’s why it’s probably not going to happen during my tenure.”
For context, Mr Romano only intends to serve as HMCA CEO for a period of a few years, during which he will assist in the search for a long-term replacement. That suggests a GM-sourced Hyundai ute wouldn’t arrive until 2028, at the earliest.
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