Hyundai Motor India is developing a small car to compete with Maruti in the 800cc segment. The new car is expected to hit the Indian roads by 2012 and will be priced around Rs. 1.5 lacs.
“A model smaller than Santro is being researched and developed jointly by Indian and Korean engineer teams at Hyderabad and Namyang. The car would compete in the 800cc segment and would be catered to the domestic and International markets.” said Hyundai Motor India director Mr. H S Lheem. When Mr. Lheem was asked whether the 800cc car would be pitted against the Maruti 800, he quipped, “The Maruti car is an old one.”
The other anticipated car by Hyundai is the ‘i20’, which the company plans to unveil at the Paris Motor Show next month. The ‘i20 would be introduced in India by December.