New Hyundai Truck?

Does anyone have any idea if Hyundai plans on selling a small to
mid-size truck in the US? I think they would do a good job filling
that market. Smaller size, 4 doors, clean burning diesel fuel, and
at least 30 mpg. That is what I want!

Numan

 

Sounds like something I'd sure look at. I wish they would sell the diesel
sedans here in the States, too. There's not much choice in small diesel cars
unless want a VW.

Rick
SGF, Mo.

 

They've got plans for a truck, but I'm told it's to be full size.

 

ive bitched at Hyundai before to offer their diesels in Canada, answer : no
plans...
dumb, diesels are popular here and vws are over priced

 

See, that is what I drive now. A 2003 VW Jetta TDI, manual. I like the car
ok but have decided I want a 4 door truck with a small bed to replace it
at some point in the future. I have had a Hyuandi in the past and liked it
very much so I wouldn't mind going back.

 

I am not going to be biased while asking this question. I am seriously
wanting to know:

Do you think this is because of projected sales or the fact that more
money can be made selling a full size truck. (people's wishes be damned)

 

Of course. Hyundai is a business, afterall. Besides, what makes you
think that just because YOU want something that there's a large enough
market for it to justify production? Compared to equivalent gasoline
powered cars, diesels are noisy, smelly, overpriced and underpowered.
Around here, diesel fuel is often more expensive than gasoline. These
are just some of the reasons that diesels are such a small percentage of
the market.

 

Hyundai is currently going after market share, so that would be my guess.


Current speculation is that in another ten years or so, there will only be
five major auto manufacturers. Hyundai, looking to be one of them, is
concentrating hard on the U.S., because it's an opportunity for
significantly boosting world sales. Other markets are more Hyundai
saturated or too small to make a large difference.

 

Of course it is and I do not begrudge them a penny profit. I am not one
of those people that blame businesses for making money! Hyundai should
be a shining example to other companies how to break into a market
with a not so great reputation and turn it all around.

I am going to choose to ignore the snotty slant to your question.
I simply asked in my original post IF there was any talk about
such a vehicle. Now, if you look around you see the smaller size
trucks all over the place so there IS demand for a smaller size
pickup. I just wanted to know if there would ever be a more
up to date version that gets decent gas mileage.

Yes, diesel cars have a louder engine with a different sound
and smell all its own. Diesels are more money but not near
as much as the hybrids and they don't have the very
expensive to replace battery component. Please don't get
me wrong, I love the Prius and the only reason I didn't get
one of them instead of my 2003 VW Jetta TDI is becasue
it had no sunroof!

Anyway, two years ago diesel was much cheaper than
gas and this year it has been more. That is the fault of
greed and stupidity all across the board.

I hate to point to Europe as an example for anything, but
diesel vehicles work just fine for lots and lots of people.
With clean diesel there is no reason it can't work for
us in the US just as well.

 

It just seems so easy in my mind. If you look around on the roads there
are tons of the older, small sized pickups. There has to be demand for
them. And if there isn't now couldn't it be boosted IF someone would
take the concept and morph everything about it but the size. (MPG
being one of the most important)

 

Sorry about that. It wasn't called for.

I don't know about where you live, but I see a lot more big-ass,
hulking, overpowered, gas-guzzling Detroit scrap iron than small import
pickup trucks. Despite high gas prices, as a society, we can't seem get
it through our heads that bigger ISN'T better. Believe me, I really wish
this trend would end as I'm tired of dealing with idiots on the road who
think they're invincible in their behemoths and with the high gas prices
they cause through increased demand.

I wasn't comparing them to hybrids, but to their gasoline powered
siblings. Hybrids don't make any economic sense unless you absolutely
need a new car...that's "need" as opposed to "want". Even then, you'll
never recover the increased cost vs. a similar gasoline powered car. On
the plus side, they do produce lower emissions.

No argument here.

Personally, I wouldn't put up with the noise, the horribly offensive (to
my nose) stench and the lack of power, even if they were the same price
as a gasoline vehicle. I suspect that I'm far from alone in that feeling.

I do wish that some of the smaller European and Asian market vehicles
were available here, as they're smaller size and weight provide good
performance with smaller, more fuel efficient engines. Unfortunately,
they don't meet our safety requirements or in many cases, emissions
requirements. Besides, the first time someone got seriously hurt or
killed in one of these "micro cars", a flock of sleazebag lawyers would
be filing suits alleging that they're "defective by design" or some
other nonsense.

 

You should start seeing them after 2007 model year when Ultra Low sulfur
diesel fuel in available in the U.S., I do not know if Hyundai will offer
any but most likely Toyota, Nissan will. I just laugh when I hear people
talk out of there urban asses and out of total ignorance spewing antidiesel
bullshit. The reason diesel is a small percentage of the market is due to
the availability of ULSD. and that is only in cars, in HD pickups diesels
are in the majority. VW now has a diesel hybrid that get 80 mpg and will
meet or beat the performance of the Toyota and Honda hybrid yuppie mobiles

 

the reason you dont see diesels state side is not all states will sell
them (ca, being the biggest). And oil companies are pushing for bigger
cars/trucks so the midsize trucks/suvs/cars are a failing market.
small cars are getting smaller, and big cars bigger. midsized isnt a
good market.

 

That is why I wondered if maybe Hyundai would be considering it.
Lots of people don't need or want a full sized pickup and a car
maker could recognize this and make a bundle.

 

The problem is that it's not easy, inexpensive or quick to "federalize"
a vehicle that's designed for another market with different
requirements. In some cases, making a vehicle DOT compliant requires
fundamental changes in the structure of the vehicle (due to bumper
height/strength and crash test regulations), different engines (due to
emissions regulations), different lighting (due to DOT lighting
standards),different seatbelts/airbags and many other smaller items, all
of which require re-engineering. If it was easy, manufacturers would
offer vehicles made for other markets on "special order" if they weren't
something that they wanted to keep in inventory here. The truth is that
it costs millions of dollars at a minimum and there has to be a large
enough market to justify the cost. Selling a few hundred or even a few
thousand vehicles isn't enough. For example, did you realize that Toyota
loses money on every Prius it sells?

 

I think you missed the point. If there's no market, no one is going to
"make a bundle". It's probable that the market will come back
eventually, but mis-timing its return could cost a manufacturer dearly.
It's a risky business.

 

I'm curious as to what diffence that makes? Diesel fuel is readily
available, as are diesel powered cars for people who want them. There
simply doesn't seem to be the huge demand the some here believe there
is. BTW, if you were referring to me above, I live in New Hampshire.
There isn't any place in this state that truly fits the description of
"urban". Contrary to your bogus assumption, the nearest place to here
that you're likely to see people clamoring for diesel cars is in the
Boston area, where the "enviro-sensitive" urban types tend to
congregate. In fact, it's the only place I've heard of around here where
you can buy "bio-diesel" fuel. Who's talking out of their ass now?

Sure, in BIG vehicles with enormous, fuel guzzling, smoke belching
engines where low end torque for hauling heavy loads is the most
important concern. While that's a good application for diesel engines,
what does it have to do with economy cars?

Gee, do you think you could you be a bit more hostile? I guess it's only
acceptable to environmentally concious in the manner that YOU think is
appropriate. How open-minded of you.

 

I agree with you on quite a few points. It just kills me to see one or
two people riding in a vehicle made for 12.

I just think that some of the people who don't want a big truck a
re buying cars now but would buy a modern, small sized, decent
mpg pickup. I may be 100% wrong.

Diesels produce less green house emmisions but more particles
in the air. With the introduction of clean diesel these cars
will be almost as clean as the hybrids. I just don't understand
what is taking so long. I would love to have a diesel hybrid.
Great mpg and decent power!

And again ,just like in Europe, they still sell gas powered vehicles
for people who don't like diesels. You do realize we would have
to import the stricter traffic laws to go along with the tiny cars?
I am not apposed to this. I do the speed limit on the Interstate and
let people pass me.

You are right about the lawyers.

 

Well, there is nothing wrong with starting from scratch. I know
that other car makers are using computers to speed up the
process.

I just think that they are missing the boat, either on purpose
or not.

Why would they do that?

 

I say, "Bring 'em on!"