The Hyundai Motor Group’s new chief designer says the Korean automaker has “finished” styling its upcoming bakkie, adding that it will be launched “as soon as possible”.
Speaking to Autocar, Luc Donckerwolke – who recently replaced Peter Schreyer as the firm’s chief designer – confirmed the production version of the Santa Cruz concept was “under development”.
“You’ve seen the [Santa Cruz] pick-up from the 2015 Detroit show; that car is under development at Hyundai,” Donckerwolke told the British publication.
The 53-year-old added the production model would be launched “as soon as possible”.
“From my side [design] it is finished; the process to put it into production is now under way,” he said, with Autocar speculating the bakkie would hit the market in 2020.
Interestingly, Donckerwolke furthermore confirmed the group was considering developing a Kia-badged version of the new bakkie.
In August 2017, Michael O’Brien, vice-president of corporate and product planning for Hyundai in the United States, told Reuters that the brand’s bosses have “given the green light” for the development of a new pick-up taking inspiration from the Santa Cruz concept.
That report added the new vehicle would likely be launched in the US in 2020 as Hyundai sought to reduce its sales reliance on traditional sedans in North America.
