The ute market just grows year on year and looks set to intensify with new
players – Hyundai Australia the latest player to throw its hat into the ring –
with newly appointed Chief Executive Don Romano confirming his
company cannot be competitive in Australia without one. The local
company hopeful its parent can redesign sister company’s Kia Tasman
with a hybrid or plug-in by hybrid powertrain to suit Hyundai’s
requirements. The new local Hyundai boss adamant that the company can’t
be a viable brand here without a ute in its range. The inability to rejig the
Tasman could see Hyundai look to its strategic partnership with General
Motors to source a U.S. produced pick-up for this market. Romano
adamant that Hyundai needs something to compete with the likes of the
Toyota Hilux and Ford Ranger, the two top selling vehicles in the country.