According to John Krafcik, vice president of product development and planning at Hyundai North America, the
Korean automaker is determining how to maintain its rapid growth in the U.S. market.
The Korean company has
already released two SUVs: the Tucson and the Santa Fe (pictured). But with the crossover demand still high, Hyundai
could design more.
Another area is pickup trucks. According to Krafcik, twenty percent of truck owners
questioned would consider an Asian brand despite strong brand loyalty to domestic manufacturers such as Ford.
However, Hyundai and its affiliate Kia Motors, also have to decide if they want to produce the new vehicles on U.S.
soil (“transplant”) or in Korea. The company is expected to make the decision in the next few months.