Hyundai's small car to hit Indian roads by 2011

Hyundai Motor India Limited's (HMIL) new cheap small car is likely to hit Indian roads by 2011. The company officials told that the company is developing the car is to manufactured at Sriperumbudur near Chenni in Tamil Nadu. however, the name and other information of the car is still undercover. The is likely to be positioned below the Santro model.

According to media reports, the car is to be priced at around US$ 3,500. however, the company has not meant to compete with Tata Nano. HMIL managing director, H.S. Lheem, told reporters here that the company was developing a small car in the entry level range and it should hit the market by 2011. He added that the demand for more variants is more and the company is to launch new variants in the mid and small size segment. He said that Punjab and southern states Karnataka and Tamil Nadu wanted LPG variant. Whereas, Delhi, Mumbai and Ahmadabad are voicing for CNG variants. As the first step in that direction the company would be launching the diesel variant of Hyundai i20 in the latter part of this year.

Hyundai's Gujarat connection!

Hyundai Motors India Limited is learnt to set up a new plant in the industrial state Gujarat. After Tata Motors set up a Nano car manufacturing facility, Hyundai Motors is likely to target the state with new plans. HMIL Managing Director, HS Lheem told that the Gujarat government has approached the company to set up a manufacturing utility in the state.

However, he made it clear that presently the company has no plans but he did't denied the possibility. He was in Vadodara to inaugurate the Aldiam Hyundai Motors dealership in the city which is the 17th dealership in Gujarat taking the total number of dealers in western region to 57. Lheem looked considerably impressed with the support extended by the Gujarat government to the Nano project. The company has recently launched the CNG model Accent Eco. It now braces itself for the upcoming launch of diesel variant of Hyundai i20 by end of this year.

Hyundai to set up diesel engine plant

Hyundai Motor India is all set to set up a diesel plant near chennai. Sriperumbudur plant near Chennai is a petrol engine plant of Hyundai Motor already deals in making a Kappa engine. In July, during the budget announcement, if the Government increases excise duty on cars, it may lead to the immediate drop in car sales says the second largest car manufacturing company in India. Car sales were showing signs of recovery as May results had shown, but any increase in excise duty could neutralize the recent gains, says Mr. H. S. Lheem, Managing Director Hyundai Motor India. Mr. Lheem expected the Indian operations to post a 15 per cent increase in revenues this year from $4 billion in 2008. Mr. Lheem said we initiated a feasibility study for setting up a diesel engine plant. He did not give more details about it.

Hyundai's sales up 8.36 per cent in May

Hyundai Motor India Ltd's (HMIL), India's second largest carmaker, cumulative sales were up 8.36 per cent at 43,628 units against 40,261 units in the same month the previous year. It included exports and domestic passenger-car sales. However, HMIL's domestic passenger-car sales registered a 4.11 per cent growth in the month of May at 23,503 units compared to 24,510 units in the same period of the last year.

HMIL said in a statement that exports for the month stood at 20,125 units against 15,751 units during the same month last year, a rise of 27.77 per cent. HMIL sold 39,864 units of hatchbacks Santro, Getz Prime and i10, 3,735 units of Accent and Verna, 27 units of Sonata Transform and two units of its SUV Tucson during May. HMIL Senior Vice-President (Marketing and Sales) Mr Arvind Saxena said that due to higher demand by the European countries, the company was �forced to adjust the domestic production to address the needs of that unique market opportunity.

Hyundai to roll out Santa Fe in India soon

Hyundai Motors is likely to launch its Santa Fe in India very soon. The car which was to be introduced last year in India, was ranked top 10 among vehicles for 2008 unveiled in the magazine's issue and was also given the 2008 Consumer Reports "top pick" award. Based on Hyundai Sonata platform, Hyundai Santa Fe is a mid-size crossover SUV. Santa Fe was introduced for the 2001 model year as Hyundai's first SUV, released at the same time as the Ford Escape/Mazda Tribute and Pontiac Aztek.
The rugged SUV Santa Fe, successfully running in the international markets likely to acquire its style and design from coupe and promises to quench the thirst of a buyer for sportiness as well as style.

Hyundai to introduce diesel version of i20 CRDi

Hyundai is learnt to launch the i20 CRDi diesel model in India. The model is expected to roll out 1.4L CRDi engine which develops 75PS or 90PS. However, no official statement has released so far. Experts says that the new model may be costlier by Rs 70,000 to Rs 100,000 over the existing petrol variant. The new diesel model may hit the showrooms by July 2009. Honda has recently launched its small car model Jazz in the Indian market which has been perceived as an over-priced model. On the other hand, i10 and i20 have been well-received in this segment and a new diesel model of Hyundai�s premium hatchback will lend the much needed leverage in the sales.

Hyundai i20 diesel model launch on 7 July

Hyundai India is all prepared to roll out its diesel variant of i20 on July 7. The car might be available with 1.4L common-rail diesel engine which develops 75PS or 90PS. Once launched it would be pitted against Ford Fusion, the diesel versions of Maruti Swift & Ritz, Skoda Fabia, Fiat Grande Punto etc. However, no official word so far. Experts says that the new model may be costlier by Rs 70,000 to Rs 100,000 over the existing petrol variant. The new diesel model may hit the showrooms by July 2009. Honda has recently launched its small car model Jazz in the Indian market which has been perceived as an over-priced model. On the other hand, i10 and i20 have been well-received in this segment and a new diesel model of Hyundai�s premium hatchback will lend the much needed leverage in the sales.