Hyundai’s Possible Ute Partnership with GM – What It Means for Australia

Hyundai is in talks with General Motors (GM) to develop a mid-size petrol ute—but it may not make it to Australia. Instead of building a new ladder-frame ute from scratch, Hyundai could gain access to the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon platforms in exchange for providing electric commercial vans for the North American market.

At Tynan Hyundai Kirrawee, we know many Australian drivers are eager for a Hyundai ute to take on the Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux. However, this potential Hyundai-GM partnership means Australia may miss out on the brand’s first true ladder-frame ute.

Hyundai’s Ute Plans – Built in the USA, Not for Australia

What’s the Deal Between Hyundai and GM?

According to Reuters, Hyundai and General Motors are close to signing a vehicle-sharing agreement, which would see: ✅ Hyundai gain access to GM’s mid-size ute platform (Chevrolet Colorado/GMC Canyon) ✅ GM receive two Hyundai-built electric commercial vans for North America

Unlike the Hyundai Santa Cruz, which is a smaller "lifestyle" ute based on the Tucson SUV, this new ladder-frame ute would be a serious competitor to the Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux—but it wouldn’t be built in right-hand drive (RHD).

Why Won’t Australia Get Hyundai’s New Ute?

If the Hyundai-GM deal goes ahead, the mid-size Hyundai ute would be built in GM’s Missouri, USA factory, which does not produce right-hand-drive vehicles.

This mirrors Hyundai’s previous issue with the Santa Cruz, which is also made in the USA without RHD production, making an Australian launch impossible.

Instead, Australia will be getting the Kia Tasman—Hyundai’s sister brand’s new ladder-frame ute—set to arrive in July 2025 with petrol and diesel options.

Hyundai’s Future in Utes and Electric Vans

While Australia may miss out on Hyundai’s petrol-powered ute, Hyundai’s commercial vehicle strategy is expanding. As part of this deal, Hyundai would build: 🚐 A mid-size electric van based on the Hyundai Staria 🚐 A full-size electric van to replace the ageing Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana in the US and Canada

These Hyundai-built electric vans would eventually be manufactured in a new factory in the US by 2030, helping GM modernise its commercial vehicle lineup.

Could Hyundai and GM Expand Their Partnership?

There are rumours that Hyundai could give GM access to its Creta small SUV for markets like Brazil, where it could be rebadged as a Chevrolet.

Additionally, the partnership could extend to semiconductor chips, EV batteries, and battery materials, as both companies face rising competition from Chinese automakers.

What Does This Mean for Hyundai in Australia?

At Tynan Hyundai Kirrawee, we’re excited to see how Hyundai’s ute and commercial vehicle strategy evolves. While Australia won’t be getting the Hyundai-GM mid-size ute, there’s still plenty to look forward to: ✔️ The upcoming Kia Tasman ute (arriving in 2025) ✔️ More Hyundai electric vehicles, including future electrified commercial models ✔️ Hyundai’s continued innovation in EV and hybrid technology

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Credit: Drive.com.au