Hyundai Unveils Design for Its First Electric Commercial Vehicle Platform, ‘ST1′

Hyundai Motor Company revealed the design of its inaugural electric commercial vehicle platform, named ‘ST1′, on March 14. (Image courtesy of Hyundai Motor Co.)

SEOUL, Mar. 15 (Korea Bizwire) – Hyundai Motor Company revealed the design of its inaugural electric commercial vehicle platform, named ‘ST1′, on March 14. This versatile business platform, based on a chassis cab (the vehicle’s frame and passenger compartment), is designed to be adaptable for various uses. 

The name ‘ST1′ stands for ‘Service Type 1′, indicating that it is the first model of the platform. With the development of the ST1, Hyundai is set to extend its electrification efforts from passenger vehicles to commercial models. 

The exterior design of the ST1 prioritizes safety and practicality, essential for commercial vehicles. The front part of the vehicle is designed so that about half of the hood protrudes further than the cab to improve safety by absorbing the impact in the event of a collision. 

Hyundai has also applied protective black components to areas prone to scratches, such as the front bumper, side garnishes, and the edges of the rear doors. Additionally, the vehicle’s ground clearance has been minimized to maximize cargo space and facilitate easy access to underground parking lots, making it more convenient for workers to load and unload. 

The name ‘ST1′ stands for ‘Service Type 1′, indicating that it is the first model of the platform. (Image courtesy of Hyundai Motor Co.)

The streamlined roof spoiler integrates the cab and cargo space seamlessly, improving aerodynamic performance. Initially, Hyundai has developed cargo and refrigerated cargo models for the ST1 lineup, specially designed for logistics and delivery services with standard and refrigerated cargo boxes mounted on the chassis cab. 

Hyundai conducted early development of the ST1 by gathering customer requirements from domestic distribution companies and deploying prototype vehicles in the field to ensure the development of vehicles best suited for logistics and delivery operations.

The company plans to reveal the ST1′s key specifications, dimensions, and pricing in the first half of this year and commence sales of the cargo and refrigerated cargo models in Korea. 

A company representative stated, “ST1 is a business platform that can be expanded into various applications,” adding, “Starting with vehicles optimized for logistics and delivery, we will further develop the platform to serve diverse purposes in the future.”

Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)