Hyundai is targeting 2029 for the launch of its first body-on-frame vehicle in North America, with the South Korean automaker planning a midsize pickup that could give it a true alternative to the Toyota Tacoma.
Hyundai Targets 2029 for New Pickup
Hyundai has built ladder-frame vehicles for decades, but it has never sold one in North America. The automaker’s previous pickup effort, the Santa Cruz, was easily outsold by the Ford Maverick.
Hyundai is now preparing to enter the light-truck market again, but this time with vehicles based on a ladder-frame chassis. Hyundai CEO Jose Muñoz has identified 2029 as the target launch year for the company’s first body-on-frame vehicle for North America, according to Automotive News.
The upcoming model will be a midsize pickup, although it does not yet have a name. The truck would give Hyundai a direct alternative to the Toyota Tacoma.
Muñoz also said Hyundai is considering the United States as a production location for the new pickup, including potentially for export markets.
Georgia Could Build the New Hyundai Pickup
“Definitely the United States could be not only the place to produce for domestic but also for export, as we see definitely other regions benefiting from these new segments. We’re working on the economics, the sourcing, on which markets could be part of that expansion,” Muñoz said.
If Hyundai chooses the United States for production, the Metaplant in Georgia would be the most likely location mentioned in the report. The facility currently builds the Ioniq 5 for the U.S. and Canadian markets, while the Ioniq 5 N is sourced from South Korea.
The Georgia Metaplant also builds the Hyundai Ioniq 9 and the Kia Sportage Hybrid. Other Kia and Genesis models are eventually expected to be built there as well.
U.S.-Built Pickup Could Be Exported
Muñoz’s comments about exports raise the possibility that a pickup built in Georgia could be supplied to markets outside North America. One potential approach would see the Georgia Metaplant handle exports for the Western side of the world, while South Korea serves markets in the East.
However, the logistics and economics are still being studied, including sourcing and which markets could be included in the expansion.
With a 2029 launch target, Hyundai has less than two and a half years to finalize those decisions, as 2026 is already more than halfway over.
Potential SUV Derivatives Could Follow
The new pickup could eventually lead to SUV derivatives, potentially putting Hyundai into competition with vehicles such as the Toyota 4Runner and Nissan’s upcoming revived Xterra.
Muñoz has emphasized the importance of platform sharing, raising the possibility that future vehicles could use the platform of the Tasman. Such an approach could allow Hyundai Motor Group to recover more of its development costs, provided the plan succeeds.
For now, Hyundai is still working through the economics, sourcing and potential markets for its new ladder-frame vehicle family, with the midsize pickup targeted for North America in 2029.
