At the time when the whole world is talking about getting back to normalcy after the global recession, the auto segment in India continues to create records. Hyundai Motors India today said that they have achieved a significant milestone with its cumulative exports crossing the 10 lakh mark.
The company has also started exporting cars to Australia and is the only manufacturer to do so in such a short span of a decade presence.
HW Park, managing director & CEO, HMIL said, “Reaching the 10 lakh export car landmark is not only a significant milestone but also a matter of great pride for the Hyundai family as it showcases the global success story that Hyundai as a brand enjoys.â€
HMIL began exporting cars in 1999 when it shipped a batch of 20 Santro’s to Nepal and it reached the first milestone of exporting 100,000 cars in four years and ten months in October, 2004. In October, 2005 it exported its 200,000th car followed by its 300,000th car and 400,000th car in October, 2006 and August, 2007 respectively. By exporting the 500,000th car in March, 2008, HMIL had become the fastest Indian passenger car manufacturer to achieve this milestone. In a little over a decade since Hyundai has been present in India it has become the leading exporter of passenger cars with a market share of 66% of the total exports of passenger cars from India making it a significant contributor to the Indian automobile industry.
Currently, Hyundai Motor India is exporting four of its popular models namely - Santro, i10, i20 and Accent to 110 countries. In 2009, in spite of a global slowdown, Hyundai Motor India’s exports grew by 10.7%. In 2010 Hyundai plans to add 10 new markets with Australia being the latest entrant to the list. The first shipment to Australia is of 500 units of the i20 and the total i20 exports to Australia is expected to be in the region of 15,000 per annum.
