Hyundai shifts gear, drives on quality lane

Most cars are based on the fluidic design policy that incorporates flashier looks

April 16, 2016 03:07 am | Updated 03:07 am IST - CHENNAI:

Hyundai’s strategic shift towards quality push, coupled with its cutting-edge vehicle design policy, willhelp the South Korean chaebol roll out products free of defects, according to a top company official.

The company had earned rewards through its increased focus on product quality and supply chain industry, besides its design approach called ‘Fluidic Sculpture’, said Y.K. Koo, Managing Director of Hyundai Motor India Ltd (HMIL).

Among all automakers in India, Hyundai’s recall of vehicles was the lowest, indicating significant strides in improving the quality of vehicles. Most of the cars produced are based on the fluidic design policy that incorporates flashier looks. These offerings have met with success and created a niche across segments.

As an endorsement of its transformation, independent assessment providers such as J.D Power Asia Pacific have acknowledged the improved quality of Hyundai’s fluidic models.

Mr. Koo attributed the growing sales of the company in India to the fluidic vehicles and its powerful vendor base that kept pace with the company’s quality and new product initiatives.

“At least twice a year, Hyundai engineers from Korea meet our suppliers and discuss the areas that need improvements, product plans and localisation,” he said. “Hyundai is the only company in India to provide two times PDI (pre-delivery inspection) before delivery.”

In its quality and design, the company has adopted a cooperative approach with its suppliers under which it provided technology support and also helped them access international standards. Such efforts had led to achieving localisation effectively without compromising on the quality of vehicles.

Also, the geographical proximity of suppliers and vendors had been a key factor in the company’s localisation efforts. A major chunk (78 per cent) of vendors is located within Chennai, Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur districts and the rest too are not very far from the plant.

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