If you were hoping to get behind the wheel of Hyundai’s upcoming Santa Cruz mini-truck, we hope you’re not an Aussie. According to a report from Motoring, Hyundai deemed the soft, crossover-based Santa Cruz not suitable for the Australian market.
Hyundai Australia COO Scott Grant confirmed to Motoring that the tiny truck will not see duty in Oz, claiming the Santa Cruz is not up to the task of dealing with those who use trucks in the rugged areas of Australia. “The Santa Cruz is not in any way suitable for Australia, therefore it is not even being considered for this market,” Grant told Motoring. “From our point of view we want a proper HiLux, Ranger, Navara type of product, and the Santa Cruz won’t work for us. It’s too small and lightweight. We just don’t think it’d sell – Australian consumers won’t go for it.”
It’s not hard to see why Hyundai Australia is unconvinced on the Santa Cruz. The compact truck will ride on a compact crossover platform, putting it squarely in a league of its own. Where the Toyota Tacoma and Chevrolet Colorado ride on tough bespoke truck chassis, with rugged body-on-frame construction, the Hyundai will have a softer, less-capable unibody construction, putting it more in-line with the Honda Ridgeline than anything else.
It might not have the off-road and hauling capability of its larger rivals, but the Santa Cruz aims to be a usable, affordable truck without any of the drawbacks associated with cumbersome body-on-frame models, including improved fuel economy, comfort, and on-road manners.
Look for more information on the U.S.-bound Santa Cruz in the near future.
SOURCE: Automobile Magazine
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