Hyundai appears to be getting closer to joining one of the world’s most competitive automotive segments. Instead of taking the familiar diesel route, the Korean automaker is reportedly preparing to make its mark with a hybrid-powered pickup designed to challenge established names like the BYD Shark 6 and even the Ford Ranger.
While Hyundai has long been absent from the ladder-frame pickup market, the company now seems determined to enter with something that stands apart. Rather than simply matching what rivals already offer, the focus is said to be on electrified technology that can deliver both capability and improved efficiency.
According to a report by Australian media outlet Carsales,, Hyundai is evaluating multiple powertrain options for its upcoming ute (Australlian term for pickup trucks), including a plug-in hybrid eclectic vehicle (PHEV) system and a range-extended electric vehicle (REEV) setup. The latter combines electric drive with a gasoline engine that primarily generates electricity, potentially offering the benefits of electric driving without the range concerns associated with battery-only vehicles.
The pickup’s final engineering direction has yet to be confirmed. Hyundai is reportedly studying several possibilities, including leveraging its collaboration with General Motors, adapting technology within the Hyundai Motor Group, or using components related to Kia’s body-on-frame architecture. Whatever path it chooses, the company appears focused on ensuring the vehicle is competitive in both performance and practicality.
Hyundai has also acknowledged that it is entering the segment later than many of its rivals. That delay, however, could allow the brand to capitalize on changing market preferences, particularly as hybrid and electrified pickups continue gaining attention. The success of models such as the BYD Shark 6 has demonstrated that buyers are becoming more open to alternatives beyond conventional diesel-powered trucks.
Should Hyundai move forward with a global rollout, markets across the Asia-Pacific region, including the Philippines, could eventually see the new model arrive as another contender in the highly competitive pickup category. If and when it happens, the country’s local hybrid and pickup segments will have an interesting competition.
That said, Philippine buyers should keep one important point in mind. Even if Hyundai eventually brings the pickup to the local market, there is no guarantee it will share the same powertrain being considered for markets like Australia. Automakers often tailor engine and drivetrain options to suit individual markets, taking into account local regulations, customer preferences, pricing strategies, and other regional factors. In other words, what other countries get may not necessarily be what arrives in the Philippines.
Autocar’s Take
Taking the Australian report with a grain of salt, Hyundai’s direction for its first modern pickup makes a lot of sense. Entering the segment with another diesel model would have made it difficult to stand out against long-established rivals like the Ford Ranger and Toyota Hilux. A PHEV or REEV pickup gives Hyundai an opportunity to offer something different while addressing stricter emissions standards and changing customer expectations.
Of course, success will still depend on towing capability, payload, durability, and pricing — typical realities of marketing a pickup truck. But, if Hyundai can deliver those essentials without compromising efficiency, its long-awaited pickup could become one of the most interesting new challengers in the segment.
