The Santa Fe made its India debut very late. In fact, it was so late that the company was already working on new model as it was being launched in India. The current Santa Fe that we see running on the roads was launched way back in 2006 at North American International Auto and a mild facelift followed in 2010
MotorTrend confirms that the new Santa Fe will make its international debut at the 2012 New York Motor Show this April. The new Santa Fe codenamed (ix45) will don the fluidic design that was recently adopted by Hyundai worldwide. It will also have a lot of technology packed in it donated by the new Sonata. It will be powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged petrol engine producing 274-horses and a Euro6 2.0-liter diesel engine rated at 150HP.
Back home, the Santa Fe is imported as a CBU in India thus the sticker price is very expensive. Hyundai India wanted to test the waters with the Santa Fe and it seems they have received a good response. Hyundai may choose to bring the new Santa Fe through the CKD route to drop the prices and gain volumes.
We are live at the Hyundai conference in New Delhi where the Korean giant has given us glimpse of the concept Hexa Space, popularly known as HND-7. The Hexa Space is a glimpse of a future MPV that will seat 8 people in utmost comfort. Why is it called “Hexa Space?” you ask.
Just like the launches of 2011, the second largest car manufacturer of India plans to stuff its pavilion with some insane cars starting with the HND-7, a concept form of soon to come MPV from Hyundai motors. The HND-7 is just a design study right now but could possibly spawn a Maruti Suzuki Ertiga rival in the future.
Giving company to the HND-7 (image above is not related) will be the Avante sedan which will draw the spectators’ attention owing to its sporty looks. Internationally, available in both petrol and diesel version along with manual and automatic, the Avante will sit above the Verna challenging the Cruze and Laura.
Hyundai India has recently been on a roll when it comes to launches. Right from the new i10, the fluidic Verna to the mighty EON and everything in between, Hyundai has pretty much been there and done that. The company plans to continue this onslaught for the next five years.
Because of new entrants in the market, Hyundai’s share fallen to 18.3 percent from 21 percent in the past 12-18 months plans. In order to protect its share and gain some more traction, Hyundai India has decided attack is the best form of defense. Hyundai India has planned 15 launches in the next 5 years to woo the customers to the Hyundai brand. A few that we can think of are:
Of course, it will not be all sunshine for Hyundai. All the bigwigs in the industry have similar ambitions and similar plans. India’s largest car maker Maruti Suzuki has lined up 15-20 cars by 2015. 6-8 new models will come from General Motors, 8 from Ford by mid-decade, and 10 from Renault-Nissan.
Sure, new models will continuously pump numbers in the balance sheet. But what other areas do you think Hyundai India should work on to become the market leader?
We all know that Gujarat is the emerging new ‘Motown’ of India. All manufacturers are making a beeline to set up shop in Gujarat. Amidst this enthusiasm, Hyundai also has decided to construct a diesel plant in Gujarat with an installed capacity of 150,000 units per annum.
The plant will manufacture 1.1L, 1.4L and 1.6L engines which will be used for domestic consumption. Hyundai will be investing 4 billion rupees over the next three years and the plant will be operational in 2013 or early 2014.
But IAB is no Economic Times so what does all this malarkey mean to you?
• Cars like Verna RB and i20 (whose powertrains are imported) are bound to get cheaper with local manufacturing
• i10 could be the first beneficiary of the locally-produced diesel engines. The next generation i10 will certainly come with a diesel engine.
• Hyundai HA low-cost car (to be priced under the Santro) that will hit the market by late next year or early 2012 could also be endowed with a diesel heart
• Hyundai, like Fiat, could source the engines to other manufacturers who are currently importing their diesel engines resulting again in a price drop
It looks like Hyundai is moving in for the kill with diesel powertrains. It’s cars will do exceedingly well if they can be priced a bit more aggressively. Hyundai must consider a MPV and a mini SUV for India once the diesel plant is operational.
Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL) is looking to export its cars to new markets such as Australia, South Africa and South America. This move comes on the back of shortening demand for Hyundai’s cars in Europe, due to the withdrawal of incentives such as the scrappage scheme and due to the prevalent economic slowdown in European regions.
The company foresees a 25-30 % dip in its exports to West European regions and thereby wants to negate the effects of this by increasing exports to newer markets and markets where there is a greater demand for its cars.
Arvind Saxena, Director, Marketing and Sales, Hyundai Motor India Limited to Business Line -
Overall we will just about manage to reach last year’s exports this year
The company’s hopes to reach last years export targets seem realistic since there is a great demand for its products in markets outside Europe and with the shifting of the i20′s international production to its plant in Turkey, it should be able to produce more number of cars of its other models for export markets.
Hyundai is getting ready to add direct injection to its 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine. Power from the DI four cylinder goes from 176 to 200 hp, and will likely get around 5-10 percent better gas mileage, finds a home under the new Sonata’s bonnet.
Supposed to be replaced by the i10, the Hyundai Santro has not only lived to talk about it, but is also set to undergo a cosmetic surgery by the year end. The changes are purely cosmetic and no announcements on the diesel engine yet.
