After easing lockdown, Hyundai Motor India has been witnessing immense demand for the Venue, Verna and Creta
South Korean automaker Hyundai has ramped up its production rate to more than a thousand units a day to meet the post-lockdown demand. This is roughly five times the production rate during the initial days of eased-lockdown. As India entered its fourth stage of COVID-19 lockdown protocols in early May, businesses in green and orange zones were allowed to resume in a controlled environment. This includes automotive manufacturing plans, dealerships and service outlets as well.
It has been more than three weeks since Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL) restarted operations and within this period, the company sold almost 6,900 vehicles. Through its new ‘Click to Buy’ online sales platform, Hyundai India has registered over 15,000 enquiries. Several automakers in India have introduced online sales platforms to make the best out of the worst as part of the ‘new normals’.
Besides providing an easier path to purchasing a new car, customers can opt for a test drive, complete important paperwork and get the vehicle delivered at their doorsteps. To get as many potential customers as possible on board, manufacturers are offering exclusive online benefits too.
Furthermore, such channels do not affect the business of existing dealer partners as they would be connected to the customer at the end of the online buying process. Hyundai’s Click to Buy platform also features a personalised assistant to help complete the purchase with ease.
As per data, Hyundai India sees the highest demand for three models: Venue, Verna and Creta. The Hyundai Venue was updated to BS6 specifications without any cosmetic changes while the Verna and Creta received a major facelift and all-new generation, respectively.
Prices for the Hyundai Venue subcompact crossover starts at around Rs 6.70 lakh ex-showroom. It is available in three formats: 82bhp/113Nm 1.2-litre NA petrol, 118bhp/171Nm 1.0-litre turbo petrol and 99bhp/240Nm 1.5-litre diesel. The bigger Hyundai Creta crossover comes at a starting price of Rs 9.99 lakh ex-showroom. It is also available in three engine variants: 113bhp/144Nm 1.5-litre NA petrol, 138bhp/242Nm 1.4-litre turbo petrol and 113bhp/250Nm diesel.
Hyundai’s popular C-segment sedan and a strong rival to the upcoming 2020MY Honda City, Verna comes in both petrol and diesel formats. The petrol line-up includes a 1.5-litre NA (as in Creta) and 1.0-litre turbo (as in Venue) units. On the other hand, the 1.5-litre diesel motor is borrowed from the Creta in the exact state of tune.
