Is an electrical truck from Hyundai on the best way? 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 lessons, starting from small and enormous SUVs to pickup vans, together with the flagship fashions of the Genesis model.

The automaker hasn’t supplied 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 (by way of 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 stated it was planning to construct a whole lineup of 14 EVs by 2027.

The lineup consists of two electrical vans, 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 coated an R1T mannequin driving on public roads in Suwon, speculating the EV maker would use Samsung moderately than LG as a battery provider.

Electrek’s Take

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

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

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

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

What do you assume? 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.