Korean auto company Hyundai Motor will be launching a revamped version of its popular hatchback, Santro, in India next month. The company’s Indian arm, Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL), also announced that its premium hatchback, the Getz, will be phased out by the year 2011. Speaking at the sidelines of the annual convention of the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), HMIL Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mr H. S. Lheem, said that while a revised version of the Santro will be launched on September 1, 2009, the company will also launch an 800 cc car in a few years to capture the ‘mini car’ segment.
Hyundai India is hoping to sell a total of 5.5 lakh cars this year, including 2.7 lakh exports and 2.8 lakh domestic sales. Lheem also said that the production of the Hyundai i20 for export purposes will be shifted to Europe next year, for logistical reasons. Hyundai will be increasing production in India from September 14 by working three shifts instead of two. This will enable the company to produce 2,500 cars a day, up from the 2,000 units it produces currently.
