A new trademark filing in Australia has pointed to the name of Hyundai’s ute – and indicated it could be electric.
Earlier this month, Hyundai filed a trademark application with IP Australia for ‘Ioniq T10’, suggesting whatever upcoming model is expected to adopt the nameplate will join the brand’s Ioniq-badged electric vehicle (EV) range.
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 is a large electric SUV, the Ioniq 6 is a sleek battery-powered sedan and the as-yet unrevealed Ioniq 7 will be a flagship seven-seat SUV.
As reported in June 2023, the Hyundai Motor Company is developing a new Integrated Modular Architecture (IMA) for EVs to replace its existing E-GMP platform, the latter of which underpins the aforementioned Ioniq models plus the Kia EV6 and EV9.
At least four Hyundai EVs will be underpinned by IMA between 2025 and 2030, and it’s understood the platform can support a ute or pickup.
While Kia has previously said it plans to produce a mid-sized pickup in the US for the North American market this year, set to feature electric power, Hyundai has been coy on revealing any official details about its future utes.
In October 2023, Hyundai Australia boss John Kett hinted at the brand launching an electrified ute in the local market – either as a hybrid or full EV.
“I think everything we’re doing in [the electric vehicle] space, and in the light commercial space beyond that, and the electrification of where we think the light commercial vehicles could go – it creates a good sort of synergy of where we think we want to take heavy commercial vehicles, which is not everyone’s top of mind… but the reality is we’ll talk a bigger story next year,” he said.
“What do they say? Build it and the consumers will come? We’re getting closer, so just be patient.”
Hyundai sells a ute overseas – the petrol-powered Santa Cruz, based on the Tucson SUV – though it isn’t sold outside North America.
Meanwhile, Kia is gearing up to launch its Tasman ute in Australia, though it’ll likely be powered by a turbo-diesel engine.
MORE: Everything Hyundai