South Korean automaker SsangYong wants to launch an electric pickup truck in the coming years. The company has already started developing the model but we don’t expect to see it until early in the next decade.
The yet-unnamed model will ride on a brand-new architecture developed specifically to underpin electric vehicles. Daniel Rim, the brand’s executive director of export markets, told Australian website Motoring that the truck will “raise eyebrows.” He didn’t provide additional details, though he added he thinks the model will come with all-wheel drive. It could become the first electric pickup in the world unless Tesla beats SsangYong to the punch.
SsangYong has its work cut out for it in the coming years. In addition to the electric truck, the company plans on releasing gasoline- powered pickups plus a series of new SUVs and crossovers, including a battery-powered model. SsangYong is a little bit like Jeep or Land Rover in the sense that it’s a company that has historically specialized in making off-roaders. It’s looking to capitalize on this position in the coming years to expand its presence globally. Right now, it’s heavily dependent on the Asian market with small pockets of activity in Europe and Australia.
This leaves us with one question: will we ever see a SsangYong in North America? We’ve heard rumors of American-spec models before. In 2016, the company’s chief executive revealed he needed a new product line-up to stand a fighting chance in the United States. The then-current line-up was too old for such a competitive market. The company has embarked on a major tech and design overhaul, so we’ll keep an eye out on its expansion plans.
South Korean automaker SsangYong wants to launch an electric pickup truck in the coming years. The company has already started developing the model but we don't expect to see it until early in the next decade.
The yet-unnamed model will ride on a brand-new architecture developed specifically to underpin electric vehicles. Daniel Rim, the brand's executive director of export markets, told Australian website Motoring that the truck will "raise eyebrows." He didn't provide additional details, though he added he thinks the model will come with all-wheel drive. It could become the first electric pickup in the world unless Tesla beats SsangYong to the punch.
SsangYong has its work cut out for it in the coming years. In addition to the electric truck, the company plans on releasing gasoline- powered pickups plus a series of new SUVs and crossovers, including a battery-powered model. SsangYong is a little bit like Jeep or Land Rover in the sense that it's a company that has historically specialized in making off-roaders. It's looking to capitalize on this position in the coming years to expand its presence globally. Right now, it's heavily dependent on the Asian market with small pockets of activity in Europe and Australia.
This leaves us with one question: will we ever see a SsangYong in North America? We've heard rumors of American-spec models before. In 2016, the company's chief executive revealed he needed a new product line-up to stand a fighting chance in the United States. The then-current line-up was too old for such a competitive market. The company has embarked on a major tech and design overhaul, so we'll keep an eye out on its expansion plans.
