Republic of Korea-based Hyundai Motor Co. has launched a division to market Hyundai medium-duty trucks in the U.S.
Hyundai previously had a trucking presence here via a now-defunct agreement with Bering Truck Corp., which had established a commercial-vehicle assembly operation in Front Royal, VA.
Jamesburg, NJ-based Hyundai Truck America (HTA) will start with a group of 30 dealers. HTA spokesman Fred Hammond told FLEET OWNER that all are former Bering Truck Distribution dealers.
HTA dealers will offer the Class 4 Hyundai HLD150, as well as the Class 6 HMD230 and HMD260 trucks. The OEM says the cabovers are suited for a wide range of business uses, including P&D, nursery-landscape, vehicle-recovery and food-service applications.
“We know the U.S. truck market is a very competitive and difficult market,” said Hyundai executive vp Johng-Sik Choi. “We will try to meet the challenges of being in the U.S. with Hyundai's commercial vehicle products while trying to reach the highest levels of customer satisfaction.”
According to Ed Muldoon, national sales director, the trucks' standard features “help position the Hyundai line as the price/value and comfort/convenience leader in the Class 4 and Class 6 segments.”
The 14,510-lb. GVW HLD150 is powered by a 160-hp. Detroit Diesel 638 engine driven through an Allison AT542 4-speed automatic.
The 23,00-lb. GVW HMD230 and 25,510-lb. GVW HMD260 are powered by 215-hp. Cummins ISB engines mated to ZF 6S-850 6-speed synchro overdrive manuals. The HMD230 is offered in five wheelbases and the HMD260 in two.
All models are covered with a “competitive” warranty that includes 2-yr./unlimited-mileage coverage for the basic body and chassis.
Hammond said the trucks are being assembled in Korea, then shipped to the U.S. He said HTA wants to test the U.S. market before it makes any plans to assemble the trucks here.
Circle 301 on reply card
STANDARD ON ALL HYUNDAI TRUCKS:
- ABS braking
- Air conditioning
- Tilt/telescopic steering column
- Cruise control
- Front- and rear-axle shock absorbers
- AM-FM/cassette stereo
- Heated outside rear-view mirrors
- Power windows and door locks
- Suspension driver's seat
- Driver and passenger reading lamps
- Full instrumentation
- DuPont IMRON 5000 urethane paint
