Is an electrical truck from Hyundai on the way in which? A Rivian R1T was noticed with testing plates close to Hyundai’s Namyang analysis and design (R&D) facility in South Korea.

Hyundai benchmarking Rivian R1T electrical truck?

In June, the Hyundai Motor Group launched its next-generation EV platform (IMA), designed to host 13 new electrical fashions from the Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis manufacturers.

The IMA platform is a “vital development” over the automaker’s present E-GMP platform. The brand new platform will lengthen past midsize SUVs or crossovers (just like the IONIQ 5 and KIA EV6).

Hyundai’s CEO, Jaehoon Chang, confirmed:

It encompasses almost all car courses, starting from small and enormous SUVs to pickup vehicles, together with the flagship fashions of the Genesis model.

The automaker hasn’t provided any extra particulars on the potential electrical pickup. Nevertheless, a Rivian R1T was noticed with testing plates by Hyundai’s R&D facility this week by Shortscar (through The Korean Automotive Weblog), elevating hypothesis that the automaker is working by itself electrical truck.

In the meantime, Kia has already introduced plans to introduce two EV pickups to its portfolio. Throughout investor day 2022, the automaker mentioned it was planning to construct an entire lineup of 14 EVs by 2027.

The lineup contains two electrical vehicles, one devoted EV pickup, and one other “strategic mannequin” for rising markets.

This isn’t the primary time Rivian’s electrical truck has been noticed in South Korea. In 2021, Electrek lined an R1T mannequin driving on public roads in Suwon, speculating the EV maker would use Samsung reasonably than LG as a battery provider.

Electrek’s Take

It’s a widespread apply for automakers to buy different manufacturers’ autos to reverse engineer them to understand how they work.

Kia has already confirmed it’s going to introduce a devoted electrical truck, whereas there’s been heavy hypothesis Hyundai will launch one below its personal model.

If Hyundai does determine to launch an electrical pickup, it’s going to face a rising checklist of opponents with the Rivian R1T, Ford’s F-150 Lightning, Chevy Silverado EV, and the upcoming Scout electrical pickup, amongst others.

Hyundai should differentiate itself with a novel electrical mannequin, one thing it has accomplished effectively with thus far within the electrical period with fashions together with the IONIQ 5 and IONIQ 6.

What do you suppose? Would you purchase an electrical truck from Hyundai? And if that’s the case, what options could possibly be adopted (or added) from the Rivian R1T? Tell us within the feedback.