Hyundai pickup truck with removable roof: new patent details
Hyundai and Kia patent a pickup truck with a removable roof
Hyundai pickup truck with removable roof: new patent details
Hyundai and Kia filed a patent for a pickup truck with a removable roof and waterproof sealing system. Learn about this unconventional design and what it means for the market.
2026-01-20T09:57:22+03:00
2026-01-20T09:57:22+03:00
2026-01-20T09:57:22+03:00
New documents from Hyundai Motor Group, published in U.S. and German patent databases, describe a pickup truck with a removable roof. The development was filed simultaneously by Hyundai and Kia and appears unconventional even by segment standards.What the Patent DescribesThe patent focuses on a mechanism for attaching and sealing a large removable roof panel. The main emphasis is not on transformation but on a sealing system designed to maintain waterproofing even after repeated removal. The structure includes multiple moisture protection layers to compensate for wear over time. The documentation separately mentions the possibility of removing doors, enhancing the open-air effect.Technical Implications and the Idea's OddityFrom an engineering standpoint, the solution doesn't seem revolutionary but raises questions about practicality. Such designs are more typical for niche off-roaders than for mass-market pickups. Moreover, the patent isn't tied to a specific model or known platforms. This indirectly suggests an early concept stage rather than preparation for a production vehicle.What This Means for the MarketHyundai has previously indicated plans to expand its presence in the pickup segment and compete with market leaders. A recent patent for a transformable cab rear wall and this removable roof idea demonstrate a search for unconventional solutions. Even if such a pickup never reaches production, the direction is clear: the automaker is testing the boundaries of the traditional format to stand out in a highly competitive segment.
Hyundai and Kia filed a patent for a pickup truck with a removable roof and waterproof sealing system. Learn about this unconventional design and what it means for the market.
Michael Powers, Editor
New documents from Hyundai Motor Group, published in U.S. and German patent databases, describe a pickup truck with a removable roof. The development was filed simultaneously by Hyundai and Kia and appears unconventional even by segment standards.
What the Patent Describes
The patent focuses on a mechanism for attaching and sealing a large removable roof panel. The main emphasis is not on transformation but on a sealing system designed to maintain waterproofing even after repeated removal. The structure includes multiple moisture protection layers to compensate for wear over time. The documentation separately mentions the possibility of removing doors, enhancing the open-air effect.
Technical Implications and the Idea's Oddity
From an engineering standpoint, the solution doesn't seem revolutionary but raises questions about practicality. Such designs are more typical for niche off-roaders than for mass-market pickups. Moreover, the patent isn't tied to a specific model or known platforms. This indirectly suggests an early concept stage rather than preparation for a production vehicle.
What This Means for the Market
Hyundai has previously indicated plans to expand its presence in the pickup segment and compete with market leaders. A recent patent for a transformable cab rear wall and this removable roof idea demonstrate a search for unconventional solutions. Even if such a pickup never reaches production, the direction is clear: the automaker is testing the boundaries of the traditional format to stand out in a highly competitive segment.
