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i20 automatic versions launched

— PHOTO: R. V. MOORTHY

OPTIMISTIC: H. S. Lheem (left), Managing Director, with Arvind Saxena (right), Senior Vice-President, and Ashok Jha, President, Hyundai Motor India, at the launch of i20 diesel in New Delhi on Tuesday.

NEW DELHI: Hyundai Motor India Ltd. (HMIL) on Tuesday launched the diesel and petrol automatic versions of its premium hatchback i20. The Korean automaker is planning to launch its sports utility vehicle (SUV) Santa Fe in 2010 and a new small car in near future.

While the three diesel variants that come with a 1.4L CRDi engine (delivers the maximum power of 90 PS) is priced between Rs. 6.19 lakh and Rs. 7.20 lakh, the 1.4-L petrol with automatic transmission and more efficient Gamma engine that delivers 100 PS power is priced between Rs. 7.31 lakh and Rs. 7.72 lakh. “Both the variants, while offering the much needed fuel-economy to our customers, will also provide superior technology and best-in-class performance,” said HMIL Managing Director H. S. Lheem. With this launch , i20 is now available in eight variants. HMIL has so far sold over 72,000 units of i20 in the domestic market since its launch in December 2008.

On future plans, Mr. Lheem said the company was planning to launch Santa Fe SUV in 2010, and also exploring the possibilities of rolling out a car smaller than Santro in the domestic market. The company planned to start producing diesel engines at its Chennai plant by 2010.

Stating that the auto market was showing signs of revival, Mr. Lheem said the company was expecting the market to pick up in the second half.

“Our target is to produce 5.8 lakh units in 2009,” he added. HMIL, which is the largest car exporter, had produced 4.9 lakh units in 2008 out of a total installed capacity of six lakh units.

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