Hyundai makes India a small car hub

South Koreas Hyundai Motor Co. said India would become the hub for all small cars the company manufactures and sells globally. It is also exploring the U.S. market for exporting the i10 compact. “Hyundai will be manufacturing all small cars in India and these would be sold globally. The models that we are manufacturing at our Chennai factory are i10, Santro and Getz while the new model, i20, would start from the end of this year,” Hyundai India Managing Director H.S. Lheem said. Hyundaiwhich has completed 10 years in the Indian market, expects sales this year at 5.3 lakh (530,000) units. A big portion of this would come from overseas markets. The company has started a trans-continental drive from Delhi to Paris to mark the occasion. Lheem said Hyundai was also exploring the possibility of exporting the i10 to the U.S. Meanwhile, Hyundai said its cumulative sales in India will soon reach two million vehicles in 2008. Indian sales of Hyundai have totaled 1.91 million vehicles as of August, a statement said. (September 11/12, 2008)