Hyundai plans to expand its SUV portfolio with two brand new models. These include a compact SUV that’s smaller than the Creta, while the second model will be larger than the Tucson. These SUVs are likely to go on sale by 2020. Hyundai vice-chairman Euison Chung announced the company’s plans at the launch of its latest crossover, the Kona, at Seoul, South Korea.
Ching suggests that despite the SUV space having reached saturation, there’s plenty of potential for growth, since young car buyers are looking for compact, but solid cars with road presence.
Such is the demand for SUVs, that the company is even considering a full-size SUV that’s bigger than the Santa Fe.
Besides shifting focus to SUVs, the carmaker is incrementally working towards making more eco-friendly, alternate-fuelled and electric vehicles. “We will launch electric vehicle Kona EV model by next year," said Chung. "We will focus more on eco-friendly cars such as EVs and hydrogen-electrics.”
For instance, the Kona EV is expected to deliver a range of around 386km on a fully charged battery.
While India is likely to get a good number of updated and all-new Hyundai Models, the Kona is not expected to be part of the list, at least for now. It remains to be seen if the model will be considered for India at a later stage.