In 2009, Hyundai stopped the sales of passenger vehicles in Japan as it suffered from low sales for 8 successive years. Finally, the company has decided to sell large trucks in the Japanese market as it considers this to be a profitable business option. Hyundai got the confidence of re-entering the Japanese market with large-trucks as the company was able to sell 50 coach buses in 2011. It is targeting countries such as China, India and the U.S. for the sales of its passenger cars, where they enjoy immense demand.
In the Japanese auto market, Hyundai will make the debut of its four-ton trucks, along with other big-sized trucks produced in Korea. Exporting from the home country will ensure more competitive pricing, while after sales service will be offered by local subcontractors. Hyundai expects to sell approximately 100 to 200 units of these large trucks in Japan each year.
A Hyundai official informed, “Hyundai’s large-size trucks including four-ton trucks will be sold in Japan this year.” However, he added that, “We do not have a specific schedule for entering the Japanese passenger car market yet.”
As per sources from the auto industry, the company had set up a Task Force (TF) team for the Japanese auto market a while ago. It has formulated market strategies for the Japanese passenger car market as well as the large-truck market. The report prepared by the TF is said to have a plan about tapping into the potential of the local passenger vehicle market.
