cars and bikes

Hyundai is all set to launch its new premium hatchback model (codenamed PA) around November this year in the B-segment of the Indian passenger car market. Built on an all-new platform, the PA is expected to have excellent levels of fit and finish as well as sharp new styling.

India is expected to be the global manufacturing centre for the new hatchback, which Hyundai expects to sell in over 100 countries around the world. Pricing is estimated to be around Rs 4 lakh, which would mean the PA would be positioned just between the entry-level Santro and premium Getz models in the company’s India line-up. It is likely that the new model would use the Epsilon engine from the Santro, but newer engines are on the cards as well.

Hyundai also plans to step up its exports from India and has set an ambitious target of 2.5 lakh cars in the next two years, up from 1.13 lakh units last year. The company’s new manufacturing facility, which is being built next to the existing plant near Chennai, will go into production very shortly. The new facility would have a production capacity of 300,000 units per annum, thereby pushing total capacity to 600,000 units per annum.