Financial Daily from THE HINDU group of publications
Friday, Apr 16, 2004

News
Features
Stocks
Cross Currency
Shipping
Archives
Google

Group Sites

Corporate - Announcements
Marketing - New Products & Services


Elantra steers Hyundai into the executive segment

Our Bureau


Cine star Shahrukh Khan, Mr J. I. Kim, Managing Director, Hyundai Motors India Ltd, and Mr B.V.R. Subbu, President, at the launch of `Elantra" in the Capital on Thursday. — Kamal Narang

New Delhi , April 15

IN a bid to garner a sizeable market share in the fast-growing executive car segment, Hyundai Motor India on Thursday announced the launch of its sedan, Elantra.

The car would compete with similar models from the stables of Toyota (Corolla) and General Motors (Chevrolet Optra).

Mr J.I. Kim, Managing Director of Hyundai Motor India, said the 1.8-litre, petrol-engine version would be available at a starting price of Rs 8.69 lakh. The 2-litre diesel, CRDi engine is priced at Rs 10.49 lakh.

Elantra is targeted at filling the gap between Accent and the high-end Sonata. According to Mr B.V.R. Subbu, President, Hyundai Motor India, the car would carry a 40 per cent localisation level by the end of the year. Hyundai plans to produce 8,000 units of the car in the first year and would share the assembly line with Sonata. The executive segment in which the Elantra is positioned is expected to grow 25 per cent this year.

Elantra is equipped with safety features such as brake assist system, electronic break force distribution, traction control system and anti-lock braking system.

Meanwhile, Mr Kim said the company was planning to commence exports of compact car Santro in the completely knocked down format to Pakistan by the end of the year. At present, Hyundai sells Santro's Zip Plus and Zip Drive variants in Pakistan but not the Santro Xing, which was launched in India recently.

Hyundai has plans to jack up its capacity to 250,000 units by August this year.

Accent on higher price

HYUNDAI Motor India on Thursday announced its intention to raise prices of its mid-size Accent by 3 per cent over the next few days.

According to Mr J.I. Kim, Managing Director of Hyundai Motor India, the increase is due to the growing prices of steel, which have put pressure on margins.

At present, the company sources 70 per cent of its steel requirements from Korea and the balance from Tata Steel. Mr Kim added that the company would like to increase local sourcing of steel as the logistics costs involved from imports are higher, and is in talks with local players, including Bhushan Steel.

A decision on the price hike for Santro is expected to be taken by the end of the month.

More Stories on : Announcements | New Products & Services | Cars

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page



Stories in this Section
Ind-Swift to launch anti-diarrhoeal drug


Astra plans to buy residual public holding in Indian arm
Elantra steers Hyundai into the executive segment
Aiwo plans more boutiques, restaurants
Samtel board okays pref allotment to ICICI Ventures
Sundaram Honda named `best dealer'
Varun Shipping clocks 214 pc increase in net profit
HLL goes for business rejig, installs new management team
What the restructuring means
HLL's windy days
Can HLL sustain growth levels?
Hero Mindmine in pact with TPCL
`Outsourcing of key functions to continue' — Novo Nordisk rules out manufacturing base
Gulf Oil expects revenue to grow 10-12 pc
Hero Motors to go public in five years — Plans units in Thailand, Brazil



The Hindu Group: Home | About Us | Copyright | Archives | Contacts | Subscription
Group Sites: The Hindu | Business Line | Sportstar | Frontline | The Hindu eBooks | The Hindu Images | Home |

Copyright © 2004, The Hindu Business Line. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu Business Line