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Hyundai’s Boulder Concept Signals U.S. Ladder-Frame Truck Strategy

The reveal signals a pivot to rugged, body-on-frame models backed by U.S. design with domestic steel sourcing.

Overview

  • Hyundai unveiled the Boulder concept at the 2026 New York International Auto Show, previewing its first body-on-frame platform that the company says will support a midsize pickup by 2030.
  • The company says Boulder and its pickup sibling will be designed in the United States with steel supplied by a new Hyundai Steel plant in Louisiana to localize key inputs.
  • Design leaders framed Boulder as a new SUV styling direction under the “Art of Steel” theme, with show-car cues such as 37-inch tires, a tall ride height, and a tailgate that opens from either side.
  • Hyundai’s North American roadmap is broad, with CEO José Muñoz saying 36 new vehicles are planned for the region over the next four years as U.S. production capacity grows.
  • Timing and specifications remain unconfirmed, with media speculation pointing to a possible 2028 launch and reports of the unibody Santa Cruz ending, while Hyundai has not detailed powertrains, towing, or payload targets.