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Even though Maruti Suzuki India (MSIL) is number one brand in passenger car segment, the second rank Hyundai Motor India (HMIL) may beat it in launching first electric car in the country.
While MSIL has announced to launch its first electric car in 2020, HMIL said it will launch its electric vehicle (EV) in 2019 – either in the form of a sedan or a compact sports utility vehicle – in completely knocked down (CKD) form, YK Koo, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, HMIL, told BusinessLine .
“We are planning to introduce an EV — either SUV or a sedan form — in 2019 as CKD project.
“We need some test market for the EV so first CKD form and when the market is ready, we can start production here because we (Hyundai) have the technology,” Koo said.
According to sources from the company, the EV to be launched is most likely to be in the form of a compact SUV of Kona, which is sold in Korea and some markets globally in petrol version – a 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol and 1.6-litre petrol engine variants.
But Koo said the company is just finalising on the clear roadmap for the product and also looking at what the government is doing in terms of infrastructure such as charging points and subsidies.
$1-b investment plan
Apart from the EV, Koo said HMIL will launch nine products in total in India, over the next three years and the company will invest $1 billion (around ₹6,500 crore) in the period in developing the products and infrastructure.
Out of the nine products, there will be four full body changed products, two facelifts of the existing models and two all-new segment models, apart from the EV, he said.
Meanwhile, Koo also said the company is launching replacement of Santro, which is code named AH2 right now.
“In 2018, we are planning to launch two facelift models and in the second half contemporary and family-oriented product – AH2 before Diwali. This will be taller, wider and bigger, and will be priced ₹4-5 lakh. Lot of customers are asking to give its name Santro only, but we have not finalised yet,” he added.
The first Santro, the only tall car at that time in India, was launched by Hyundai on September 23, 1998 and as a celebration of its 20th year, the company may launch new car on the same date this year.
It was the entry-level car from the stable of HMIL, before it launched the Eon in India. The company will also launch ‘Carlino’, the compact SUV (sub-four metre) codenamed ‘QXi’ April next year. It was showcased at the Auto Expo in 2016.
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