Will it capture the hearts of delivery drivers? Hyundai ST1 sortie

[한국금융신문 곽호룡 기자] The ST1, newly launched by Hyundai Motor Company on the 24th, is a chassis cab-based commercial vehicle that promotes an ‘electrified business platform’. A chassis cab is a vehicle that consists of only a skeleton without a storage compartment behind the passenger compartment (cab). It is consistent with the PBV (Purpose-Based Mobility) vision targeting the next-generation mobility service market in that the rear space can be added according to use.

The main features of the vehicle were examined at the event where Hyundai Motor Company unveiled the ST1 for the first time at the Songdo Convensia in Incheon the previous day.

The models launched by Hyundai Motor Company first are the ST1 Cargo and Cargo Refrigeration. The intention is to dominate the active delivery market. This market has been dominated by 1-ton trucks such as Hyundai Porter 2 and Kia Bongo 3 for a long time. ST1 Cargo is aimed at a premium over existing vehicles with large loading space, customized specifications, latest technology, and more expensive price.

The ST1 appears to be a vehicle developed based on the multi-purpose vehicle Staria. The exterior design with Staria’s unique ‘straight eyebrow’ was adopted, and the interior seats are also similar to Staria. A Hyundai Motor official said that the framework (platform) is the N3 platform, which has been the standard for Hyundai and Kia internal combustion engine passenger vehicles since the 8th generation Sonata in 2019, including Staria.

The part to pay attention to is the cargo compartment. To make loading and unloading items easier, the height from the ground to the loading box was lowered to 495mm. The height to the bottom step installed for convenience is only 380mm. It is lower than the Porter, which is 780mm, as well as imported commercial vans, which are 550mm.

The size of the cargo box is 2642mm in total length, 1810mm in width, and 1700mm in interior height. The internal width (8.3m³) has been expanded compared to competing models. It was designed so that people can work without bending their backs even if they enter the cargo box.

The overall vehicle specifications are 5625mm in length, 2015mm in width, and 2230mm in height (same for cargo and refrigeration). Even though it is a very large vehicle, its relative overall height is noticeable. It meets the general underground parking height standard (2300mm). The compact Porter has a total height of a refrigerated truck (2430mm), so there is a separate low-floor model (2140mm).

The explanation is that the reason the vehicle was designed this way was because there was a demand from distribution and logistics companies. ST1 Cargo was completed by providing vehicles to 18 companies, including CJ Logistics, Lotte, and Curly, for as short as two weeks or as long as two months, and then improving them by receiving feedback.

Oh SehuncloseOh SehunView article collection “Our partners most frequently requested more cargo loading space and access to underground parking,” said Hyundai Motor Company’s PBV Development Manager (Managing Director). “We chose a low-floor vehicle to meet conflicting requirements.” explained.

In addition, the loading box is equipped with a power sliding door that opens and closes at the push of a button and an electric locking system that can lock the rear and side doors at the same time. We have also developed new special features such as ‘Smart Walk Away’, which automatically closes the cargo compartment door when you get out of the vehicle, and ‘Smart Drive Ready’, which automatically turns the engine on or off depending on whether a person is on board. It is also noticeable that rear and surround view monitors, which facilitate parking, are available as options.

It is judged to have been designed to take into account the convenience of ‘delivery drivers’ in many ways.

Another feature is that it was the first to introduce ‘data open API’. By utilizing data, you can apply various functions to increase work efficiency. Although Hyundai Motor Company has its own functions to provide, we encourage distribution companies to expand the ecosystem by creating the necessary apps themselves. Like a smartphone.

For example, a representative feature provided by Hyundai Motor Company is included in the ST1 cargo refrigeration model. According to the Food Sanitation Act, refrigerated truck drivers must maintain a certain temperature when transporting frozen food ingredients and regularly record temperature information. There is the inconvenience of having to use a separate terminal for this. Hyundai Motor Company supports this in the vehicle’s 10.25-inch navigation display. The navigation is also equipped with a function to adjust the freezer temperature.

The battery was adopted with a large capacity of 76.1kWh. The driving range on a single charge was certified by the Ministry of Environment as 317 km for the cargo model and 298 km for the refrigerated model. It supports a 360kW ultra-fast charging system that charges from 10% to 80% in 20 minutes.

The selling price is KRW 59.8 million to KRW 63.6 million for cargo and KRW 68.15 million to KRW 71.95 million for frozen cargo. Compared to the Porter EV, it costs more than 20 million won more. Hyundai Motor Company is confident that the electric vehicle purchase subsidy will meet the 100% standard even under the more stringent conditions this year.

Jeong Yoo-seok, head of Hyundai Motor Company’s domestic business division (vice president), emphasized, “There are no plans to discontinue the Porter EV,” and added, “There are concerns that the ST1 will interfere with the Porter EV, but there will be differentiated customers.”

ST1 means that it is a platform developed to be expandable to various models depending on the purpose. On this day, Hyundai Motor Company used ST1 to showcase electric bike charging cars, police operators, emergency rescue vehicles, camping cars, on-site smart farms, and pet care shops. Vice President Jeong said, “These are special-purpose vehicles manufactured directly by our customers,” and added, “ST1 is worthy of being chosen by customers who consider the business aspect.”

Reporter Kwak Ho-ryong, Korea Financial Times, [email protected]