Reports indicate that Hyundai will discontinue production of the Santa Cruz pickup truck ahead of schedule, a move following weak market performance and intense competition from stronger rivals.
Production of the Santa Cruz was originally scheduled to continue until mid-2027, but the company has decided to move up the end of production, as the vehicle faces low sales and high inventory at dealerships.
In 2025, only about 25,500 units of the Santa Cruz were sold in the United States, compared to over 155,000 units of its main competitor, the Ford Maverick, leading to an accumulation of nearly five months’ worth of unsold inventory at dealerships.
These results are attributed to the fact that the Santa Cruz, built on an extended Tucson crossover platform, has not seen the same popularity as stronger competitors in its class.
A Larger Truck
Despite bidding farewell to the Santa Cruz, Hyundai confirms it remains committed to its presence in the truck market, having previously announced the development of a mid-size body-on-frame truck designed to compete with models like the Ford Ranger, Toyota Tacoma, and Chevrolet Colorado.
Production of this new model is expected to begin in 2029, with a commercial launch before 2030, in an attempt to increase market share in the high-demand truck segment in the United States.
Hyundai Santa Cruz
The Hyundai Santa Cruz is a compact pickup truck introduced in 2021, marking Hyundai’s entry into the North American pickup market. It was designed as a versatile “Sport Adventure Vehicle” blending the comfort of an SUV with the utility of a small truck for urban and recreational use.
Noblesville
Noblesville is a city in Indiana, founded in 1823 and named for its early settler, Josiah Nobles. It grew as a county seat and a hub for agricultural trade, later expanding with the arrival of the railroad and developing a historic downtown district along the White River.
United States
The United States is a federal republic founded in 1776 after declaring independence from Great Britain, establishing itself through a revolutionary war and the ratification of a constitution that created a representative democracy. Its history encompasses westward expansion, a civil war over slavery, significant industrial growth, and its emergence as a global superpower in the 20th century. The nation is defined by its diverse population, cultural influence, and a political system of checks and balances between federal and state governments.
Ford Maverick
The Ford Maverick is a compact car originally introduced by Ford in 1969 as an economical model to compete with imported vehicles. After a long hiatus, the name was revived in 2022 for a new compact pickup truck, marking a significant shift from its original sedan form.
Hyundai Tucson
The Hyundai Tucson is a compact crossover SUV produced by the South Korean automaker Hyundai since 2004. Named after the city of Tucson, Arizona, it was introduced as a replacement for the Hyundai Elantra-based wagon and has evolved through multiple generations to become a global best-seller.
New York International Auto Show
The New York International Auto Show is an annual automotive exhibition first held in 1900, making it one of the oldest auto shows in the United States. It serves as a major public showcase for new vehicle debuts and concept cars from manufacturers worldwide, traditionally held at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in Manhattan.
Manhattan
Manhattan is the most densely populated of New York City’s five boroughs and a major global center for finance, culture, and commerce. Originally inhabited by the Lenape people, it was purchased by Dutch colonists in 1626 and later came under English control, with its iconic grid street plan largely established in the early 19th century.
New York City
New York City, originally founded as a Dutch trading post called New Amsterdam in 1624, grew into a major colonial port under British rule. It later became the first capital of the United States and transformed into a global center of finance, culture, and immigration in the 19th and 20th centuries. Today, it is one of the world’s most populous and influential metropolitan areas.
Ford Ranger
The Ford Ranger is a line of pickup trucks originally introduced by Ford in 1983 for the North American market, designed as a compact alternative to full-size trucks. It gained popularity for its durability and versatility, with production continuing in various global markets even after it was discontinued in North America in 2011, before being revived there with a new model in 2019.
Toyota Tacoma
The Toyota Tacoma is a mid-size pickup truck first introduced in 1995 as a replacement for the Toyota Hilux in North America. It was designed to better suit the preferences of the U.S. and Canadian markets, emphasizing comfort and on-road performance while maintaining a reputation for reliability and off-road capability.
Chevrolet Colorado
The Chevrolet Colorado is a mid-size pickup truck first introduced by General Motors in 2004. It was developed to compete in the global market, with its history including a major redesign for the 2015 model year that improved its capabilities and design.
