Big or Small? Hyundai Splits the Difference With New Vehicle Announcements
Will Hyundai go big or small? It looks like Hyundai is experiencing a spot of indecision that could mean greater diversity of vehicle options for consumers. Within just a few days of the automaker’s official announcement that the Creta subcompact crossover will be produced, an unnamed source has come forward revealing the company’s plans to develop a large SUV based on the Hyundai Genesis luxury sedan.
Several days ago, Hyundai finally went public with its intention to develop the new Creta subcompact crossover, showing off artist’s renderings of the tiny car’s exterior and interior. Based on those drawings, speculation has swirled that the Creta will be little more than a renamed version of the company’s ix25 concept which debuted in China last year. Naturally, a few changes will be made to adapt the vehicle to worldwide safety standards, but the Creta is expected to retain most of the styling cues of the ix25 concept.
Hyundai’s announcement suggests that consumers can expect the Creta to arrive in the US in 2017 with the Nu 2.0-liter engine and available HTRAC all-wheel drive. The Creta will debut in India in the second half of 2015, so we should see a concept version of it very soon.
A second (unofficial) announcement came directly on the heels on the Creta news – an unnamed source told Reuters that Hyundai is considering developing larger SUVs based on its Genesis luxury sedan. Some might view this as a conflict with the automaker’s plans to push the tiny subcompact vehicles it’s known for, but we think SUV development can only be another jewel in Hyundai’s crown. For a while, the company’s fleet of bigger SUVs has been severely lacking. With no pickup trucks on lots or in development, Hyundai has to compete somehow.
With the discontinuation of the Veracruz set to start in July 2015, Hyundai certainly has room to grow its SUV lineup. Modeling a potential new SUV after the Genesis seems like a safe choice, especially considering that US sales of that particular vehicle jumped by more than a third in January-May to nearly 15,000, far outpacing the automaker’s overall sales gains of 2.2 percent.
On the other hand, it’s a risky move – no one knows when oil prices might surge again and erode the market for larger, gas-guzzling vehicles. Of course, that’s where the all-new, hyper fuel-efficient Creta comes in. It’s clear that Hyundai is splitting the risks and making an exceedingly safe bet with these two new potential vehicles.
While we wait for more information on Hyundai’s growing line up, stop by Rosen Hyundai, your Hyundai dealer in Illinois, for a look at our current available models. Whether you’re looking for luxury or efficiency, we’ll help you find a Hyundai that’s the perfect fit.
