HYUNDAI Motor Firm Australia (HMCA) says it hasn’t given up on promoting a hybrid model of the new-generation Tucson, regardless of ongoing price and sourcing points.
In an interview with GoAuto HMCA coordinating director of product planning Scott Yoon confirmed that Tucson Hybrid stays on the radar for Australia, although a call is but to be made on how or when that would materialise.
“The door has not been utterly closed but (on Tucson Hybrid reaching Australia),” stated Mr Yoon, “however we do see an uphill problem”.
Sourcing from Hyundai’s Czech plant – the one facility at present constructing right-hand-drive Tucson Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid – presents HMCA with a doubtlessly prohibitive alternate fee, but Mr Yoon confirmed “it was almost inconceivable to justify right-hand-drive (Tucson Hybrid) improvement out of Ulsan (South Korea).”
“We had been solely capable of provide a few thousand (potential Tucson Hybrid gross sales from Ulsan) … and the mom firm had already invested a lot in placing a right-hand-drive variant into manufacturing (within the Czech Republic), provided that a big chunk of Tucson right-hand-drive quantity will come from Europe. And that’s when the numbers actually don’t begin stacking up,” he stated.
There’s additionally the problem of Hyundai’s positioning in our market.
“Globally, once we take a look at pricing of automobiles usually, in Australia the pricing has modified. Perhaps because the second half of 2019 there’s been this basic upward development, however Australia stays on the decrease world vary when it comes to the precise worth the shopper pays,” stated Mr Yoon.
Taking spec under consideration, “in comparison with North America, and particularly Europe, the listing worth that we see right here is barely decrease than the group, which presents its personal challenges for making an attempt to justify a enterprise case (for Tucson Hybrid).
“I imply, we haven’t closed the door but. We do have some data and we’re making an attempt to see if it will possibly align however once more, it’s not probably the most splendid state of affairs.
“We have now the product, however (Tucson Hybrid must be) at a worth level that clients will willingly spend their cash on,” stated Mr Yoon.
“We’re looking for a sensible means to try this.”
As well as, the Czech manufacturing facility builds a barely smaller Euro-sized model of the Tucson – 130mm shorter general, driving on a 75mm-shorter wheelbase – which signifies that even when Tucson Hybrid does make it right here, it received’t instantly align with our bigger Korean-built line-up.
On condition that Toyota at present dominates the medium SUV phase with its big-selling RAV4 Hybrid, nevertheless, Australia’s fourth hottest model seems dedicated to discovering an answer for providing Tucson Hybrid – particularly if clients demand it.
Talking to GoAuto final December, HMCA basic supervisor product planning Andrew Tuitahi stated that hybridisation of Hyundai’s mannequin vary shall be inevitable transferring ahead.
“Each mannequin is on the desk for a future hybrid and we’re taking a look at what we are able to do,” he stated.
To date in 2021, the medium SUV phase has achieved an 18.0 per cent share of the whole market, making it the largest class within the nation.
Of that complete phase (together with premium medium SUVs), the Toyota RAV4 has been the dominant drive, accounting for 21.6 per cent of whole gross sales.
Of these, an amazing 81 per cent have been geared up with the hybrid powertrain.
As compared, the outgoing TL Tucson has accounted for a relatively small 5.6 per cent share year-to-date.
