Creta, India Version Expected to Launch Early Next Year... Can It Bring 'India's No.1 Car Export'?

Local Media "Likely to be Unveiled at Motor Show in January Next Year"

[Asia Economy Reporter Seong Giho] The facelift of Hyundai Motor Company's strategic model for India, the 'Creta,' is expected to be launched early next year. So far, the Creta has been a popular model in India and neighboring countries, driving Hyundai's regional exports. The automotive industry is paying attention to whether the launch of the Creta facelift will accelerate Hyundai's exports of India-produced vehicles, which have recently slowed down.

According to local Indian media on the 21st, the Creta facelift model, first unveiled in Indonesia last November, is expected to be launched in India in the first half of next year. Indian media predicted, "The new Creta model will be unveiled during the India Motor Show scheduled for January next year and is expected to be launched in the first half of next year."

The reason the launch of the Creta is attracting attention is not only because the model is very popular in neighboring countries of India but also because Hyundai recently lost the title of 'No.1 in Indian automobile exports,' which it had held for 23 years.

According to the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL) exported a total of 129,000 units in the fiscal year 2022 (April 2021 to March 2022). This represents a 23.6% increase compared to the previous year (104,342 units). However, competitor Maruti Suzuki exported 236,000 units, taking the top spot. Maruti Suzuki recorded a high growth rate of 148.5% compared to the previous fiscal year (94,938 units).

Hyundai lost the 'No.1 in Indian automobile exports' title it had held for 23 years since its first export from the Chennai plant in India in 1999. The situation is not easy for this fiscal year either. Maruti Suzuki exported 110,372 units from April to August this year, while Hyundai exported 60,571 units.

The reason Maruti Suzuki is showing explosive export growth is that the 'Brezza,' launched in July this year, is gaining great popularity. Brezza sold 15,193 units in India alone last month, ranking third in total sales just two months after its launch. Meanwhile, the Creta sold 12,577 units, ranking sixth. This is a slight decrease compared to 12,625 units in July and 12,587 units in August last year.

India has traditionally been a region where compact sport utility vehicles (SUVs) like the Creta and Brezza are highly popular. Therefore, there is speculation that the ranking in the Indian export market could be reversed once the new Creta model is launched.

Hyundai plans to launch new models such as the Ioniq 5, Kona Electric facelift, and Verna this year ahead of the Creta next year. With the release of new models, export volumes from India are expected to increase significantly. Hyundai secured an annual production capacity of 750,000 units by expanding its Chennai plant in 2020.

Expectations for the Creta are high even within India. Local Indian media reported, "The Creta sparked an SUV craze in India," adding, "Hyundai has already unveiled the facelift model abroad, and Indians are eagerly awaiting its launch in India."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.