First images of Hyundai H350 revealed

HYUNDAI has released the first images of its new versatile H350 cargo van ahead of its world debut at the IAA international commercial vehicle show later this month.

The Ford Transit rival will be available in three main variants with a conventional van, flatbed truck and passenger carrying bus all rolling out in Europe after its official unveiling in Hannover, Germany.

Technical details are thin on the ground, but the South Korean car and van-maker says the H350 can accommodate a payload of up to 1400kg and a maximum towing capacity of 2500kg, depending on the body-style.

The up to date front end features LED running lights and a hexagonal grille, and Hyundai says its styling echoes its passenger car counterparts.

GoAuto understands that the H350 is currently only available in left-hand drive configuration, but a business-case based on the vehicle's reception in Europe may see production gearing up for a right-hand drive market.

Hyundai Australia public relations general manager Bill Thomas told GoAuto that the United Kingdom would be the most important right-hand drive region for the H350 but Australian allocation would be welcome.

“I certainly wouldn't rule it out and we would love to see it here and we'd definitely love to sell it, but it's just a matter of making that investment work,” he said.

Mr Thomas went on to say that although he believed the new H350 van would do well in the Australian marketplace, Hyundai's main commercial vehicle focus was on a ute-like product.

“The brand has been very successful for commercial vehicles – certainly the iLoad and iMax are very popular, leading their segments,” said Mr Thomas.

“One thing that is of interest to us is that the brand would certainly lend itself to something like a ute and a HiLux rival. That is a vehicle we could get a lot of volume out of.

“It's what we are crying out for... as an extension of that commercial vehicle market, it's not just about the bigger van.” At this stage Hyundai global is not reporting any plans to develop a ute-type vehicle for either a large vehicle market like the United States or smaller vehicle regions like Southeast Asia and Australasia.

Hyundai's popular iLoad van is Australia's second favourite, selling more than 3000 units year to date 2014, and is second only to Toyota's HiAce with about 4300 registrations this year.