Hyundai to launch new large van for Europe

Date: Thursday, September 4, 2014 | Author: James Dallas

Hyundai is set to launch a new large van for the European market next year to complement its only other light commercial vehicle – the medium-sized iLoad.

The Korean manufacturer will build the 3.5-tonne H350 at its plant in Turkey, where the smaller iLoad is also assembled.

The new model will be available with a single wheelbase but with a choice of three bodystyles, panel van, chassis cab and minibus.

Allan Rushforth, senior vice president and chief operating officer at Hyundai Motor Europe, said: "This is an important development for us because it supports our growth into the corporate sector in Europe."

Hyundai will debut the new van at the Hanover CV Show, which runs from 25 September to 2 October, and it is expected to be available in the UK from 2016, although the brand admitted it was still “looking at the viability” of producing a right-hand drive version.

If it does get the green light a spokesman for Hyundai UK said the model would most likely be sold through its network of Business Centres. It currently operates 20 centres but would open more sites to accommodate the new LCV.

The manufacturer said the H350 echoes the design of its passenger car models with a hexagonal front grille integrated into the front bumper flanked by headlamps with LED daytime running lights that wrap around the front of the vehicle.

Side mouldings run down the flanks to the rear, incorporating the near-side sliding door.

Hyundai said the H350 will offer a payload of up to 1.4-tonnes and a towing capacity of 2.5-tonnes.

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