It’s nostalgic to recall the launch of Santro in India. The supercute tall boy hatch that not just changed the fortunes of a relatively unknown Korean carmaker, Hyundai Motor, wayback in 1998, but also established it as the most consistent and revered brand in the fast growing Indian market.
Hyundai has never looked back and neither has Santro. Now in its new avatar it marks a new chapter into Hyundai’s strategy for India. To be position as the most upmarket hatch in the entry level, while keeping the price as uniquely affordable levels, Santro is the most awaited car and a killer contender to the prestigious Indian Car of the Year, or Icoty 2018.
Dubbed as ‘India’s Favourite Small & Family Car’, the world premiere will be held on October 23, 2018 in New Delhi, though the first 50,000 customers will get a special invitation price advantage.
“Today is a historic and proud moment for us, as India has unanimously chosen the name Santro, again. Since its debut -23rd September 1998- Santro has became a complete family car to over 1.32 million Indians,” Y K Koo, MD & CEO, Hyundai Motor India said.
The new car could be priced over Rs 4 lakh (ex-showroom), a notch higher than micro hatchback EON, and closer to rival models like Maruti Celerio and the Nissan Micra. There is a huge potential in the new product as it has variants based on alternative fuels like CNG (factory-fitted for the first time by Hyundai) and new generation electronic automated manual transmission, making it an ideal car for a cross section of urban customer’s across India.
Hyundai has undertaken a multi-prolonged strategy for the all new Santro, based on the six key pillars – Modern Stylish Tallboy design, Comfortable and Premium Cabin, New Age technology, Customer Centric Safety, All Round Performance and Complete Peace of Mind, to create a new benchmark in automotive industry.
It will have several segment first new age technology features including 17.64 cm ‘Touch Screen’ Audio & Video system carrying - Android auto, Apple Carplay and Mirror Link connectivity to modern smart phones.
The All New SANTRO has comfortable and roomy cabin to ensure a comfortable drive experience in harsh Indian summers. It has bigger and reinforced AC along with first-in-segment rear Vents to enhance passenger comfort in the rear seat. Also the legend of stylish tall boy car continues with superior headroom, shoulder room and higher seating position.
India will be the manufacturing hub for Santro as earlier and it will form a critical part of Hyundai’s global export strategy. Currently the Chennai based company exports cars to around 88 countries across Africa, Middle East, Latin America, Australia and Asia Pacific.
“We will be actively looking at export of Santo from India. After the global premier on 23 of this month, we will be looking at the potential export countries after meeting the domestic commitments,” Mr Koo added.
