By Jude Sannith Dec 20, 2019 7:35:11 PM IST (Published)
South Korean auto major, Hyundai, could begin looking beyond its well-known SUV obsession in the Indian market. In the company’s crosshairs now, is a newfound market for the compact sedan. That much was apparent at Hyundai Motor India’s gala preview of its all-new offering in the compact sedan — the Hyundai Aura.
South Korean auto major, Hyundai, could begin looking beyond its well-known SUV obsession in the Indian market. In the company’s crosshairs now, is a newfound market for the compact sedan. That much was apparent at Hyundai Motor India’s gala preview of its all-new offering in the compact sedan — the Hyundai Aura.
“The SUV segment has been doing well for Hyundai in terms of growth, but there is a market for sub-four-metre sedans in terms of volume,” said Hyundai’s newly appointed director for sales and marketing, Tarun Garg, speaking to CNBC-TV18 at the preview. “The fact remains that SUV will see maximum growth and Hyundai will continue providing offerings in that segment,” Garg added, “But considering Indian roads and GST structures, the compact segment cannot be ignored.”
When Hyundai Motor India completed 20 years of its India story back in 2016, the company’s then managing director, YK Koo, told CNBC-TV18 that his company’s immediate focus would be on the SUV and Compact SUV segments. Walking the talk, the company went on to launch the Hyundai Creta, Hyundai Kona Electric and Hyundai Venue in the three years that followed. The Creta and Venue would go on to register healthy sales numbers, with the latter managing to sell over 51,000 units in the sixth months that followed its launch in May.