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This story is from November 23, 2007
Hyundai bets on hatchback segment
Hyundai is evaluating to bring the i30 - the latest model - to strengthen its model line up in India.
NEW DELHI: Hyundai Motor India, the Korean carmaker, has lined up a slew of new cars for 2008. On the cards is the premium hatchback codenamed ‘PB’, the Santa Fe, a premium sedan and the i30.
Arvind Saxena, V-P, at Hyundai Motor, told TOI, ‘‘India will be the single manufacturing location for the premium hatch back PB. Although the model is primarily for the export market, we will also launch it in India.’’
The PB, which will be positioned a notch above Getz, is expected to hit the Indian roads towards the end of 2008.
The chaebol has decided to make India its global small car hub and like the other compacts from its stable, the Santro, i10 and the Getz, the PB will also be manufactured only in India. The company is about to begin commercial production from its second car plant, taking its total manufacturing capacity to over 5 lakh units per annum. The company is targeting that the India operations will contribute 30% of global Hyundai sales by 2009.
Marking its second attempt to gain a toehold in the premium sedan category, Hyundai is considering bringing in the ‘HD’, which will replace the Elantra that is in the process of being phased out. “With the Elantra being phased out, we are looking for a replacement in that category,’’ Saxena said. Elantra never really took off, with only 13 units sold in the last three months.
Hyundai is also looking to boost its image with the seven-seater SUV, Santa Fe. ‘‘We have yet not taken the final decision on the Santa Fe, but yes, it is a product which is suited for the Indian market,’’ Saxena said. The Santa Fe will be the third Hyundai SUV to be launched in India after the Terracan and the Tucson. With the Tucson stepping into its shoes, the Terracan was recently phased out.
Arvind Saxena, V-P, at Hyundai Motor, told TOI, ‘‘India will be the single manufacturing location for the premium hatch back PB. Although the model is primarily for the export market, we will also launch it in India.’’
The PB, which will be positioned a notch above Getz, is expected to hit the Indian roads towards the end of 2008.
The model, likely to be fitted with a 1.3-1.5 litre engine, will compete head on with the Chevrolet Aveo and the Skoda Fabia, which is expected to be priced around Rs 5.5 lakh.
The chaebol has decided to make India its global small car hub and like the other compacts from its stable, the Santro, i10 and the Getz, the PB will also be manufactured only in India. The company is about to begin commercial production from its second car plant, taking its total manufacturing capacity to over 5 lakh units per annum. The company is targeting that the India operations will contribute 30% of global Hyundai sales by 2009.
Hyundai is evaluating to bring the i30 - the latest model - to strengthen its model line up in India. The hatchback version of the i30 was launched in Europe in mid 2007 and will feature in Hyundai’s US portfolio in early 2008. The i30, if launched in India, will have to fight it out in the premium hatchback segment. ‘‘We think that there will be a growing demand for top end hatchbacks in the near future and we want to have a strong presence in that segment,’’ Saxena said.
Marking its second attempt to gain a toehold in the premium sedan category, Hyundai is considering bringing in the ‘HD’, which will replace the Elantra that is in the process of being phased out. “With the Elantra being phased out, we are looking for a replacement in that category,’’ Saxena said. Elantra never really took off, with only 13 units sold in the last three months.
Hyundai is also looking to boost its image with the seven-seater SUV, Santa Fe. ‘‘We have yet not taken the final decision on the Santa Fe, but yes, it is a product which is suited for the Indian market,’’ Saxena said. The Santa Fe will be the third Hyundai SUV to be launched in India after the Terracan and the Tucson. With the Tucson stepping into its shoes, the Terracan was recently phased out.
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