Hyundai Motor India Limited, India’s second largest manufacturer, will be exhibiting its concept compact MPV, HND-7, for the first time at the upcoming Auto Expo 2012. Along with this, the company will also showcase the range of its successful models to attract car aficionados at the event. The other models present at Hyundai's stalls will include the three-door Veloster crossover, a utility coupe, new Elantra, Santa Fe and Eon.
Hyundai Elantra will draw the spectators’ attention owing to its sporty looks. The car is available in two transmission options – automatic as well as manual. Hyundai Sonata, famous as i45, will also be present at the event; this car is expected to be launched soon in India. Along with this, the car maker will also be bringing out the Sonata Fluidic sedan, which is already available in foreign markets.
Arvind Saxena, Marketing and Sales, Director, Hyundai India, said, "We are showcasing some very exciting cars from our international range at the Auto Expo. Showcased in the New Delhi Auto Expo 2008 as concept car the Veloster will be present as a premium crossover utility vehicle. The new Elantra for display at the Expo is a sedan with sporty looks. Internationally, it is available in two engine options in both manual and automatic transmissions."
The demand for Sports Utility Vehicles (SUV) is increasing in the Indian auto market quite rapidly. These vehicles have several advantages, such as high ground clearance and satisfactory boot space, along with a decent mileage which is the primary need of a customer. Moreover, traditional body styles, hatchback and sedan, have not enticed Indian buyers in recent times, so car makers expect that SUVs and Multi-utility Vehicles (MUVs) will do well in domestic market.
In coming days, more new entries are anticipated in SUV and MUV segment such as Audi Q3, Premier Rio diesel, Mahindra Xylo Mini and Renault Duster. Moreover, Ford EcoSport and unnamed concept cars from Maruti and, along with the new concept under development from Hyundai, HND-7, are also in the pipeline.
The kind of response these vehicles receive at Asia’s biggest Auto Expo remains to be seen. The 11th edition of the show is being organised jointly by Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India (ACMA).
