Hyundai and Kia Patent a Pickup With a Removable Roof

Hyundai and Kia have filed a patent describing a pickup truck with a removable roof and sealing system. Learn what the documents reveal and why it matters.

Hyundai and Kia have taken another step in exploring unconventional ideas for the pickup segment, filing a patent that describes a truck with a large removable roof panel and a dedicated sealing system designed to withstand repeated removal.

The focus of the patent is not the transformation itself, but how the roof is sealed. The documents describe a structure in which the removable panel is connected to fixed roof sections through specialized sealing elements. Multiple layers of moisture protection are intended to preserve waterproofing over time, even as wear develops through frequent removal and reinstallation.

The patent documentation also separately mentions the possibility of removable doors, enhancing the open-air effect. This places the concept closer to niche off-road vehicles than to conventional mass-market pickups, raising questions about everyday practicality.

Notably, the patent is not linked to any specific production model or known platform. This suggests an early conceptual stage rather than a vehicle nearing production. Hyundai has previously registered patents related to transformable pickup components, including elements of the cab structure, indicating a broader search for flexible body solutions.

In a wider context, the idea aligns with Hyundai’s stated ambitions to expand its pickup lineup and compete in the highly contested mid-size truck segment, particularly in the United States later in the decade. Even if a pickup with a removable roof never reaches showrooms, the patent highlights the group’s willingness to test the boundaries of the traditional pickup formula in pursuit of differentiation.