Hyundai is getting ready for a bigger battle for supremacy in the Indian auto industry with a new line-up of vehicles. It is planning to launch five new models ranging from a micro SUV to an electric crossover by 2023. The Korean car maker is hoping to latch on to the impressive response it has received for the relaunch of Santro.
SUV prospects
While there is pitched battle in the small car segment, Hyundai believes that there is enough room in the SUV segment for growth. It is planning to launch a micro SUV and an electric SUV to wean away consumers from mid-size sedans and hatchbacks. The extraordinary success of Creta that has a sales figure of 10,000 units a month has encouraged the company to think about a SUV onslaught in the country.
Electric car
At the media drive of Santro at Chennai manufacturing unit recently, Hyundai Motor India CEO Y K Koo had announced that the company is banking on electric cars. He revealed that the company will launch the electric SUV Kona by the middle of next year. He expected Kona, which has been a big hit in global markets, to give rise to a new electric SUV culture in India.
Here are the new cars that Hyundai is planning to launch soon in India:
Styx
Styx was first displayed at the 2016 auto expo in New Delhi under the name of Carlino. The name of the production version of the car will be called Styx. Though Hyundai is yet to officially announce the name, it is expected that it might go with the name Styx. Codenamed QXI, the vehicle is likely to hit the road early next year. It will be positioned below Creta and will be powered by its existing engines in India - 1.4-litre petrol and CRDI diesel units. It could sport the design elements from the company's second-generation fluidic concept. The five-seater is likely to marketed in the under Rs 10 lakh price segment.
Kona
Kona will be the carmakers first electric vehicle for India. It was launched in June this year in global markets. Sensing the bright future of electric vehicles in India, Hyundai is betting big on Kona. The five-seater vehicle will have a range of 415 km in a single charge. Though Kona also has petrol and diesel variants, it is not clear if those versions will be launched in India or not.
Micro SUV
Aimed at luring away hatchback users, the company will be launching a micro SUV with a 1.2-litre petrol engine and jaw-dropping design. Those who can’t afford a proper SUV can enjoy the status of owning a butch car by buying this micro SUV. The name and other details are yet to be announced.
