Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai (RD)
Report and Pics by Rons Bantwal

Mumbai, Nov 2: Hyundai Motor India Limited, India’s fastest growing auto manufacturer and largest passenger car exporter launched i10 in a glittering launching event here on Wednesday, October 31.  The i10 is the first car from Hyundai making its world debut here in India which will be the sole production and export hub for the car.

Hyndai Motor India arrived in India during 1996 with the launch of its first car ‘Santro’ which became a runaway success in 1996.  The company today makes a full range of cars starting right from Santro Xing to the top-end premium luxury car Santro Embeca and the Small Utility Vehicle (SUV) Tuscon at the top-end.  Hyundai has been a company which believed in bringing in the latest in technology and design wrapped in a value for money package.

Present on the occasion of the launch was the president of Hyndai Motor Company (HMC) Jae Kock Chon who commented ‘Hyundai Motor India is poised to play a very important role not only in India but also in HMC’s global plans and we hope that with India becoming the hub for small cars, we would see a significant increase in the company’s presence in many more countries.  We are very proud of the i10 as it brings the best of Hyundai’s design and technology and I am confident that it will be a very big success.

The launch of i10 symbolises the second phase of operations for Hyundai Motor India in the country where it enjoys a market share of well over 18 per cent and which is poised to grow to 20 percent in the next calendar year.  The i10 marks the entry of stylish, performance-driven compacts from Hyundai which offer the latest to its customers.

Speaking at the launch function, Hyundai Motor India managing director, H S I Hoom commented Hyundai Motor India is starting its second phase of operations with the launch of this brand new compact i10 on Wednesday October 31.  The i10 symbolizes what Hyundai Motor India stands for today.  Great design, latest technology and performance with a price tag which is affordable.  The Indian operation will become the global hub for small cars and after the launch of the i10 we at Hyundai Motor India and all Indians can take pride in the fact that we make world class cars which are driven across the world.

The new i10 is powered by a 1.1 litre iRDE petrol engine which will offer great performance along with an unmatched fuel economy.  The unit develops 06 7 PS @9500 rpm of maximum power and a peak torque of 10.1 kgm@2800 rpm.  The engine is mated to a 5 speed manual transmission with a console mounted ergonomic, short throwi-shift gear box which frees up the space between the driver and the passenger seat and also gives a unique cox, a first for this segment.  To make in-city driving effortless it comes with an electric power steering.

The year 2006 has been a significant year for Hyundai Motor India.  Its achievement and significant milestone by i10 fastest 300,000th export car.  Hyundai exports to over 85 countries globally, even as if plans to continue existing export markets.  It is gearing up to step up its foray into new markets.  2006 was Hyundai Motor India milestones such as the launch of the Verna and yet another path-breaking record in the young country by the fastest 100000m car.

The Hyundai Verna has bagged some of the most prestigious awards starting with the title of ‘Car of the year, by India’s leading automobile publication -  Overdrive, the Best mid size car of the year award by the NDTV-Awards ’07, the best value for money car by the ONBC Autocar Auto awards and Performance car by roll fastest 1000000th car.

Last year Sonata Emberra won the Executive car of the year 2006 award from Business Standards Monitoring and NDTV Profit – Car and bike declared the Tuscon as the SUV of the year 2006.

Hyundai Motors India has awarded the benchmark ISO 1400 1 certification for its sustainable environment in production.