New Hyundai van poised for Euro release

Spy pics began emerging of Hyundai's new large-capacity van from the start of this year, but now the South Korean auto-maker has released two design sketches of its new light commercial vehicle – dubbed the H350 – ahead of its official unveiling at the IAA Commercial Vehicles expo in Germany on September 24.

While details are still scarce, Hyundai says the new van will target the massive European LCV market, and will be produced in Turkey by its long-term commercial vehicle partner, Karsan Otomotiv Sanayil ve Ticaret AS.

Boasting a platform that can be configured as a van, a minibus or a flatbed truck, the H350's styling is visually tied to the Hyundai family with its hexagonal front grille and wraparound headlights, as evidenced by spy shots snapped recently in Germany. Hyundai has confirmed the model will feature LED daytime running lights.

While foregoing mention of any engine specifications – the 2.5-litre CRDi turbo-diesel found in the H1 iLoad or the D4 4.0-litre turbo-diesel found in Hyundai's truck range are likely contenders – the manufacturer has said the H350 will deliver a 1.4-tonne payload and a 2.5-tonne towing capacity.

The H350 will fill an important gap in Hyundai's light commercial vehicle line-up but the model will need to hit the bull's-eye to penetrate Europe's ultra-competitive LCV market. There it will be squaring off against next-gen models like Ford's Transit Cargo, Iveco's Daily, Fiat's Ducato and Renault's Master, along with established offerings like Mercedes-Benz's Sprinter and Volkswagen's Crafter.

Hyundai says its focus is firmly fixed on Europe for the H350 and at this stage Australian supply is looking unlikely.

On a recent trip to Hyundai's Namyang test facility in South Korea, motoring.com.au spotted a prototype of the van as it underwent testing. Although photography was strictly forbidden, at the time Hyundai Motor Company Australia COO, John Elsworth, was quick to dismiss the model as an option for Australia.

"It's for Europe, and left-hand drive only," he said.

When motoring.com.au spoke today with HMCA's PR General Manager, Bill Thomas, he confirmed those sentiments haven't changed.

"My most recent intelligence is that it's left-hand drive only," he said.

Hyundai remains one of Australia's fastest growing brands and last month notched up its 27th consecutive month of year-on-year sales growth, topped four sales segments, ranked third overall for total sales for the fifth consecutive month and placed second overall for passenger car sales ahead of Holden and Mazda.

Its highest August sales on record gave it a monthly market share of 9.8 per cent and brought its 2014 share to nine per cent – less than 1000 sales behind third-placed Mazda.

Perhaps most significantly, its sales success has been achieved without an entrant in the biggest sector of the LCV market – pick-up/cab-chassis.

Hyundai, which this week became the first brand in Australia to offer lifetime capped-price servicing for every model it has ever sold has made no secret of its desire to compete with Toyota's HiLux.

However, motoring.com.au understands that won't happen until its existing factories can meet current global demand.