HYUNDAI vans are set for a comeback on British roads as part of ambitious plans for greater sales.

Seven years after withdrawing its cab-forward H100 series model, the South Korean firm will launch a rival to the Ford Transit early next year.

The rear-drive model, codenamed TQ, will have 2.5-litre turbodiesel engines offering a choice of 110bhp or 170bhp and should be keenly priced, said HMUK managing director Tony Whitehorn.

“This range will match the standard Transit for size but will cost less despite having a better spread of equipment that includes air conditioning,” he said. “It will also offer a manual five-speed gearbox or four-speed automatic transmission.”

Around 50 of the firm’s dealers are to be appointed as van centres but every outlet in the 145-strong network will be able to carry out servicing.

Mr Whitehorn added: “We’re returning to the LCV market with a strong proposition. We aim to double our sales to around 80,000 over the next five years and we expect the van to account for 5,000 annual registrations.”