Kia and Hyundai ute program still alive

The highly-anticipated Kia and Hyundai ute program that would hand each Korean brand a long-awaited rival for the Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux remains alive.

Fresh reports this week suggested the Korean ute project had been “cancelled”, citing comments made by Kia Australia’s chief operating officer Damien Meredith.

You might remember it was Meredith who proclaimed “work has begun” on the new ute as far back as mid-2019.

He also said at the time “we’re talking about a pick-up, dual-cab, single-cab; what we’ve requested is the full gambit of a ute – diesel and petrol”.

Hyundai Australia is also hoping to secure its version of the proposed all-new ute that’s expected to be based on a rugged ladder-frame chassis to ensure it matches the key metrics of its rivals, including one-tonne payload and 3500kg towing capacity.

This is distinct from the more car-like Hyundai Santa Cruz ute, which would be a separate offering if approved for this market.

In a statement to carsales, Kia Australia hosed down reports that the ute project had been abandoned.

The company did admit, however, that it was awaiting a “definitive direction” from head office in Korea.

“Kia Australia has always been open about our desire for a ute and this hasn’t changed. However, the decision is a global one and we have not received a definitive direction from head office either way – not a yes and not a no,” the company said.

“The possibility of a ute has not been cancelled, rather we simply don’t have an update either way.

“We will continue to work with head office but in the meantime we have a growing brand, an existing model line-up and a lot of exciting new products, particularly alternative fuel products, on the horizon to focus on.”

Separately, Hyundai Australia declined to comment when approached by carsales.