Hyundai Motors India Limited may have seen more successful years in sales than 2010. Its only significant launch in India would the Hyundai Santa Fe. The other two launches, the Hyundai I10 and Hyundai Verna were just a nip and tuck job with some engine upgrades for the former. Hyundai Motors India Limited are all set to take on the competition in the calendar year 2011.
The company has plans to launch an all new Hyundai Verna in India and it would be named as the Hyundai Verna RB. It has a radical design straight out of a concept prototype. Its looks would draw many to the show rooms whereas its interiors would be more comfortable than the current generation. It would be projected as a driver’s car. There would be a new dash board design as well. The Hyundai Verna RB already has been received well in the Korean, Chinese and Russian markets. The engines that would be under the hood of this car are estimated to be the same ones as the Hyundai Verna in India. There would be little or no changes to them except for the addition of the new 1.4 liter petrol engine from the Hyundai I20’s. Honda City, better start gearing up.
Hyundai Elantra would be the other brand name that the company plans to reintroduce in India. The earlier generation Hyundai Elantra in India was a competitive car but then it somehow lost out on the styling and driving dynamics front. The new one would carry the “fluidic design” concept of the Hyundai family. It would be Hyundai’s soldier in the Rs 10 lakh plus segment where the Chevrolet Cruze, Toyota Corolla Altis, Volkswagen Jetta, Skoda Laura and the Honda Civic battle it out. The Chevy has actually redefined the segment lately with its mix of power, style, performance and fuel efficiency. Judging by the looks of the car, the company clearly has a winner on its hand. On the other hand, the only thing holding this car back would be the option of only the 1.6 liter petrol engine. Surprisingly, Hyundai wouldn’t be offering a diesel engine at the onset and just like Honda, would soldier on with a petrol motor. This car would be manufactured in Hyundai’s local plant and therefore, the car would be priced very competitively.
The company’s flagship car, the Hyundai Sonata even after receiving the Embera tag, didn’t go down too well with the car buying public. Its face lift as well as engine options weren’t a hit with its targeted audience. However once the car runs out of its current stock, the company would launch the all new I40 in India. The i40 is essentially the all new Hyundai Sonata. The nomenclature is yet to be decided. It has been received well in the US markets with its futuristic styling, elegant interiors and chassis assortment. As of now, the choice of engines for India isn’t decided however chances are that Hyundai would continue with the 2.4 liter petrol engine and the 6 speed auto transmission. Even this car would be produced locally and hence the pricing for it would be near the Rs 18 lakhs mark.
The Tata Nano has caused a flutter amongst the small car segment and Hyundai doesn’t want to be left behind in this. It is developing an all new small car for the Indian and later on world markets. This car is code named the Hyundai H800 and would compete with the Tata Nano, Renault Bajaj small car, Nissan ULC and Maruti’s small car. It would have an efficient 3 cylinder 800 cc engine which would enable it to give a fuel efficiency of about 23 kmpl. As of now, diesel isn’t on the anvil since that would increase the final cost of the car. It may be priced as low as Rs 1.80 lakhs. It may also be displayed at the current Auto Expo Show in 2011. As the demand rises, the company may also launch a LPG version. Pricing is the key in the Indian market and if Hyundai doesn’t price it right, who does?
Looking at Hyundai’s portfolio, the Korean company is sure to be a very busy lot in 2011. It would also look to expand its market share over Maruti Suzuki and would definitely want to emerge as the number 1 car maker in India.
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