To strengthen its presence in the compact car segment, Hyundai Motor India on Thursday introduced its new hatchback, i10 at an introductory price of Rs. 3.49 lakh-Rs 5.91 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).
The new car, Next Gen i10, which made its global debut here on Thursday, will replace the existing i10 that was priced between Rs. 3.48 lakh and Rs. 5.58 lakh. It will be showcased at the upcoming Paris Motor Show, beginning October 2.
“Next Gen i10 reflects our big plans for the Indian market. I am confident that this will further strengthen our position in this segment,” Hyundai Motor India Ltd (HMIL) Managing Director and CEO H.W. Park told reporters here.
Since the launch of the car in Indian market in 2007, the company has sold a total of about seven lakh units of the i10 so far and it contributed about 50 per cent of HMIL’s export, he added.
The ‘Next Gen i10’ will be available in two petrol engine variants of 1.1 litre and 1.2 litre. The company claims that while the 1.1 litre car has a mileage of 19.81 km per litre, the 1.2 litre engine variant will deliver a fuel economy of 20.36 km per litre.
When asked about sales target, HMIL Director (Marketing and Sales) Arvind Saxena said, “We were selling about 13,000 units per month of the existing i10... Hopefully, we should do about 15,000 units a month with the new i10.”
The company is expecting to sell a total of about 5.9 lakh units in 2010 compared to 5.61 lakh units in last year.
It is planning to focus more in the domestic market with an aim to sell 3.4 lakh units this year compared to 2.9 lakh units in the last year.
When asked about the company’s plan to set up a diesel engine plant in the country, Saxena said, “The feasibility study is going on... It is likely to be completed by early next year.”
