Hyundai to export Eon from next year

Korean auto major Hyundai Motor will export its latest entry level compact car 'Eon' from next year, a top company official said.

Hyundai exports its cars manufactured at the Sriperumbudur facility near Chennai to over 115 countries.

Unveiling the car in Tamil Nadu market, Hyundai Motor India Managing Director and CEO H W Park said since its launch on October 13, the company has got 'encouraging' bookings besides targeting the overseas market next year.

"Since its launch on October 13, we have got over 5,000 bookings," he said.

On their plans to target overseas market, he said the company would begin exports next year. "We will begin it in 2012...mostly it will be in South American and South African markets," he said.

In pics: Hyundai Eon launched at Rs 2.69 lkh

When asked about expansion of the Sriperumbudur plant, he said the company planned to increase the capacity from 6.3 lakh units per annum to 6.7 lakhs by next year that would require "minimal" investments.

"Next year we will be expanding the plant to 6.7 lakh units. Right now the capacity is 6.3 lakh units...we will be making minimal investments for expanding it," he said.

According to Park, the company has planned to showcase a new model developed on the "fluidic" platform during the next year's Auto Expo. It was one among the 10 new models planned to be introduced over the next four years, Park said.

To a query whether the company would phase out its flagship "Santro", he replied in the negative. "It (Santro) is one of the best models in India. Every month, we sell about 5,000 to 7,000 units (of Santro)," Park said.

He said the company was studying the market for manufacturing diesel engines at the facility. "Right now, the diesel engine market (in India) is unclear. We are still studying the existing engine plant carefully," he said.