Hyundai Pickup Nears Approval

Hyundai Motor Co. is moving forward with production plans for the Santa Cruz concept pickup truck it unveiled at the Detroit auto show in January, according to multiple media reports.

The compact pickup would will against the Chevrolet Colorado/GMC Canyon, Nissan Frontier and Toyota Tacoma.

Hyundai Motor America CEO Dave Zuchowski tells the Detroit Free Press that he wants to accelerate the program, even if it means delaying other models. Noting that the front-wheel-drive Santa Cruz was well received by consumers at the auto show, Zuchowski separately tells Car and Driver hs expects the vehicle to be approved by year-end.

Hyundai will introduce an all-new version of its Tucson crossover this autumn. The new fwd platform also could carry the Santa Cruz, the Free Press speculates.

The automaker also is exploring other truck segments, Zuchowski tells C and D. This includes a B-segment SUV that would be about the size of a Nissan Juke or Kia Soul, according to the magazine.