Team-BHP - Hyunda i20 on test and the new verna too

Quote:

Originally Posted by redrage (Post 1021360)

Had been to the Hyundai factory on Friday. I20 launch next month and cars production has already started. Then plan to initially produce 2000 cars a month. Will be available in 1.6ltr petrol at the present , later on a 1.2 ltr option will be added.

Well, the photos that are in circulation had a 1.6 badge too. Though I hope they launch the 1.2 too.

They plan to sell 2000 cars/month of the 1.6 variant? They better launch it at 6 lacs then! The Fabia does three digit sales despite the no. of variants.

Quote:

Originally Posted by reppy (Post 1021559)

Indian facility would be used extensively for European exports (European spec models (6 airbags et al) will be produced here). The 2000 / month capacity would thus include exports too. If the product is a hit, globally, we might be looking at long lead times in the Indian market.

An interview with HMI MD is reproduced below:

[SIZE=4][COLOR=blue]Hyundai to invest Rs 200 cr for expansion in India - Oct 2nd 2008[/COLOR][/SIZE] PARIS: South Korean car major Hyundai will invest 50 million dollars (approximately over Rs 200 crore) in expanding its production unit at Chennai in India, as it gears up to go a step further to make the country its global hub with plans to start full-s cale shipments of completely knocked down units.

The company has launched its new premium hatchback 'i20', which will be mainly exported to Europe, but expected to be launched in India either by the end of this year or early next year. “We need to set up a fresh press line as to meet demands of newly launched premium hatchback 'i20' as well as the 'i10'. So we will invest around 50 million dollars to set up a fourth press line,'' Hyundai Motors India Managing Director H S Lheem told PTI here on the sidelines of Paris Auto Show.

He said a separate unit for the new press line would be set up at the company's existing plant at Chennai. “I have got approval from the board of the parent company in Korea,'' Lheem said, adding the company has also decided to start full-scale exports of completely knocked down (CKD) units from India as well.

“Our estimate is to export a total of 33,000 units of 'i20' this year and by next year we will start CKD exports to countries like Australia and New Zealand to save import duties in those markets,'' he said.

Mr Lheem said the mass production for exports of 'i20' would start by this month itself and the company's two units in Chennai are already running full capacity in three shifts of production. Asked how the 'i20' would be positioned in the Indian market, he said: “It will be 8-10 per cent more expensive than the 'Getz' and both will co-exist,'' he said. – PTI

@all: yep the body shop told me that 1.6 ltr b/w 5.5 to 7 L Ex showroom.

Nope no word on 1.4 ltr. yet. We can never take what they as a 100% confirmed news but since they are producing locally, i would take their word.

I asked them about diesel and their strategy looks like the I20 will be placed just above Getz and down the line the GETZ 1.3 Petrol will go(only 1.1 petrol to stay), and the I20 and the Getz will share the 1.5 VGT 110 bhp. They said the I10 is like a luxurious Santro and the I20 will be like a glorified Getz. The I20 looks really spacious! They did not confirm anything about the 1.1 crdi and were tight lipped

And OT: An awesome new Embera was doing rounds in the plant, thought it was their Grandeur XG, but looked more like a beefed Embera.
Also seen was the Avante & Santa Fe being tested.

Quote:

Originally Posted by redrage (Post 1022149)

@all: yep the body shop told me that 1.6 ltr b/w 5.5 to 7 L Ex showroom.

... and down the line the GETZ 1.3 Petrol will go(only 1.1 petrol to stay).

Oh man! Hyundai is totally screwing with my plans... :Frustrati

Not only will I be able to afford a 1.6ltr i20, but the 1.3 GLX will also be phased out [which I was planning to buy] and I will be getting a raw deal when it comes to re-sale value...

Crap! Hell! Dunno what to do now... :deadhorse

Quote:

Originally Posted by k_ajay (Post 1022317)

Dont worry as of now the Getz 1.3 will stay, and you might get a good discount on it too since I20 pricing will be quite close to 5.5 to 7L bracket.

I Just hope the dont make the I20 above that otherwise it will become another Chevy SRV or a Fusion kind in terms of pricing.

k_ajay - I get the drift. The kappa 1.2 would've been cheaper and would've had better mileage too right?

Well, I think Hyundai's trying to do a Skoda here - launch the top-end variant, wait for response, launch cheaper variants every 4-5 months until they fill the price bracket and establish the product. Keeps the media (and the customer) talking about it too.

I just hope they launch it soon.

Frankly I'm disappointed - its Diwali time. People (like me) would want to buy newly launched cars, especially after reading about all the buzz about 2008 being a mega-launch year in terms of cars with more than 40+ models/variants promised and the usual blahs. One car was launched - the Honda City and it's too expensive (on the higher side of c-segment). Nothing else has been lauched in the 5-8 lacs space yet!

Quote:

Originally Posted by reppy (Post 1022509)

Reppy,

The 1.2 Kappa would have been cheaper and good mileage too, Yes. But I was more keen on 1.4ltr 100hp engine, hoping it would come around 6lakhs on road, with the 1.6ltr and diesel engines being the ones to cross 6.5 and 7L prices...

I'm doomed now and left choice less, to say the least... If all that has been quoted here are true, then I'm back to being stuck and to decide between 1.3 Getz and Vista Quadjet..

God... I am hoping for a pricing miracle...

Quote:

Originally Posted by redrage (Post 1022149)

did your beefed-up embera looked like this?