Hyundai has confirmed it will begin building the Santa Cruz pickup at its plant in Montgomery, Alabama alongside the Sonata and Santa Fe.
Described as a “crossover” and “compact utility vehicle” for those who “need the day-to-day versatility of an open bed”, the should share its unibody platform with the Santa Fe.
The 2015 concept car pictured here was based on the Santa Fe SUV. Although Hyundai says “creates a whole new segment” and meets “the unspoken needs of a new generation of buyers, especially Millennials”, the Santa Cruz will compete directly with the Pilot based Honda Ridgeline.
To accommodate the production of the new Santa Cruz, Hyundai invest US$410 million in its Montgomery, Alabama factory and employ an extra 200 people directly.
