Bering Truck dealers, faced with unsold inventory and a manufacturer that has ceased operations, had reason to be cautiously optimistic after a recent meeting with Hyundai officials.

The American Truck Dealers Assn. reports that at the July meeting with dealers, the Korea-based company said it would "jump-start" its commercial truck distribution in the United States. Bering dealers, it said, would have the option of becoming Hyundai dealers by this fall.
In addition to 37 Bering dealers and Hyundai officials, there were representatives of Detroit Diesel and of Ford Motor Credit Co., Bering's chief creditor.
Based in Front Royal, Va., Bering sold Class 4 through Class 8 trucks with the Bering name for two years until it stopped doing business in June. The trucks were assembled by Hyundai with U.S. powertrains and axles; a new plant being built in Front Royal was supposed to eventually bring the assembly into the United States.
Bering has sued Hyundai and DaimlerChrysler, claiming that Hyundai dumped Bering in favor of a deal with DaimlerChrysler, parent company of Freightliner, to distribute Hyundai trucks in North America. Hyundai, on the other hand, has filed a complaint against Bering, claiming it has not received payment for its trucks and that is why it terminated the distribution agreement.
There are still conflicting claims as to whether Hyundai or Ford Motor Credit owns the undelivered trucks with Bering badges, reports the ATD; the number of such trucks is estimated to be as high as 400.
Hyundai still needs U.S. approval to import Hyundai trucks, and it has yet to determine specifications, as well as which models to sell.
In a recent letter to Bering dealers, Hyundai executives stressed the importance of the U.S. market, expressed Hyundai's desire to have a smooth transition into this market, and outlined general plans for making that happen. Hyundai has sent two groups of representatives to the United States, with each group expected to call on eight dealers.
Hyundai will mail a financial warranty certificate directly to those who have already purchased Bering trucks.