'Next focus on SUVs' says Hyundai India's Senior VP - Report

HMIL targets double-digit growth this year.

Speaking to the PTI, Hyundai Motor India Limited's (HMIL) Senior Vice President for Sales, Mr. Rakesh Srivastava, said that the company's next focus will be on SUVs. The official said that HMIL has lined up two SUVs that are "modern with a premium feel".

According to sources, HMIL plans on launching a crossover based on the Elite i20 next month. The car, which will be called the Hyundai i20 Active, was recently spied without any camouflage. Based on the Elite i20, the i20 Active gets rugged styling elements like roof rails, skid guards, body cladding, new bumpers and increased ground clearance.

The engines on the i20 Active are expected to be carried over from the Elite i20, which is powered by a 1.2-liter petrol and a 1.4-liter diesel engine. However, the suspension setup will be different on the i20 Active owing to its increased ground clearance.

Next up, HMIL is planning on introducing the ix25 in the Indian market, with reports claiming a launch in the festive season period. The ix25 will challenge the likes of the Renault Duster, Nissan Terrano and the forthcoming Maruti SX4 S-Cross.

Also read: HMIL targets to sell 1 lakh cars in rural India

According to reports, the ix25 would carry over its engines from the Verna, which was recently introduced in a facelifted avatar in India.

Competitors of Hyundai ix25: Nissan Terrano, Maruti SX4 S-Cross, Renault Duster
Expected price of Hyundai ix25: INR 8-10 lakhs, ex-showroom
Expected launch of Hyundai ix25: September-November 2015

Competitors of Hyundai i20 Active: VW Cross Polo, Fiat Avventura, Toyota Etios Cross
Expected Price of Hyundai i20 Active: INR 6.5-8 lakhs, ex-Showroom
Launch date of Hyundai i20 Active: March 9, 2015 (reported)

[Source ET Auto]