Hyundai to launch car smaller than Santro

[Kalyan]

Hyundai to launch car smaller than Santro

India's second largest car manufacturer Hyundai Motor India Ltd today said it would soon launch a car that would be smaller than its Santro model.

"We are working on a car smaller than our Santro but it would take some time before it hits the market," Hyundai Motor India (HMIL) Senior Vice-President (Marketing and Sales) Arvind Saxena told reporters on the sidelines of a function here.

The car should be out by 2011, Saxena said when quizzed about the time-frame for the car.

Saxena further said that though the industry had witnessed a slowdown in the midst of the global economic crisis, the company was not touched by it yet.

"The market is tough. There is problem all over in the industry but Hyundai is still growing as we have a huge export base," he said.

The carmaker has enough orders to keep it busy for the next three to four months, Saxena said, adding that the company was aiming to export 2,50,000 cars this year.

HMIL has reached the 20 lakh sales landmark and as a goodwill gesture to celebrate this moment, the company handed over the 20th lakh car over to the NGO -- CRY (Child Rights and You). Hyundai brand ambassador Shah Rukh Khan today handed over the keys to Irwin Fernandes, Director of West and Volunteer Action, CRY.

The company will also offer attractive schemes for its potential customers, Saxena said, adding they would include three-year warranties and higher exchange royalty bonuses.

HMIL is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Company, South Korea.