7 November, 2007
The climbing
rupee doesn’t seem to hinder auto
giant Hyundai Motor India’s export
dreams. In spite of the appreciating
rupee, Hyundai foresees its exports
growing to 1.20 lakh units compared to
1.15 lakh in 2006.
The company, which is banking heavily
on the newly launched i10, believes
that it is a dream machine sporting an
affordable price tag. The new looks
and technology would spur buyers,
feels Hyundai Motor India.
The company, meanwhile, is said to be
mulling over an LPG variant of the
Santro that is likely to be launched
in 2008. With the launch of the i10 in
end October, 2007, Hyundai expects a
substantial rise in sales. The sales
figures for Hyundai products in the
entire north region stood at 80,800
units in 2006. The company, expects 40
per cent growth in sales in 2007.
Hyundai, whose sales were affected due
to limitations in manufacturing
capacity for a year and half in the
past, is now looking at sales of 2
lakh units in the current year
compared to 1.85 lakh units in 2006.
It has been pointed out that high
interest rates had hit Hyundai's
sales. Hyundai’s experience is that a
15 per cent hit has been dealt on the
otherwise 85 per cent customers who
had opted for car loans to buy Hyundai
models. Despite this, the company
feels that it can surpass sales in
2006 in the export as well as domestic
market.
