Hyundai Motor India, the fully owned subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Co., today announced the launch of Santro Xing, Hyundai’s latest ‘global’ car.
Restyled and featuring numerous improvements in safety, convenience and comfort, Santro Xing is destined for export to Europe, Asia and Africa beginning in the second half of this year where it will sell under the Atos badge.
The Santro Xing is built at a fully integrated state-of-the-art manufacturing plant near Chennai (Madras) that boasts of some of the most advanced production, quality and testing capabilities in India. The company’s production capacity has recently been increased to 150,000 cars a year in line with Hyundai’s stated intent to transform the plant into a global export hub. — China Brilliance introduces new FRV.
“The Euro-bound Santro opens a new chapter not only for Hyundai but for the Indian auto industry,” said Song Byung-Ho, senior executive vice president of exports. “European car buyers will be really surprised by the high build quality and performance. It’s this careful attention to the voice of the customer that has vaulted Hyundai into second place among Indian carmakers and made Santro India’s best selling car,” he added.
Santro Xing reinvigorates the mini segment with elegant revisions to the exterior and interior design. Sporting new flowing aerodynamic body lines, large integrated bumpers, stylish new headlamps and large sporty tail lamps, it raises the bar in this hotly contested segment. The plush new interior comes with a cushy 3-spoke steering, new instrument clusters, front and rear power windows, luxurious new upholstery and more. — Nissan releases revised March.
Positioned to extend its popular appeal across all demographic segments, the Santro Xing combines a fresh new attitude of fun, warmth and ‘sunshine’ with the comfort, convenience and dependability that the Santro has always been known for.
Commenting on the launch of the Santro Xing, Kim Jae-Il, HMI’s managing director, said, “HMI has been spearheading the design and development of Hyundai’s global small car from India, integrating the best of Hyundai’s global resources and technologies.” — 2005 Geneva International Motor Show.
The Santro has evolved significantly over the years, both in terms of engineering and design, the most recent changes being the global launch of the 1.1 litre DLI Epsilon engine option in March 2002 and the introduction of the Automatic Transmission and ABS options in September 2002.
HMI will treble Santro exports this year to 23,000 units with the European market accounting for 15,000 units.
