Hyundai to launch SUV Santa Fe, 800 cc car in India

Korean carmaker Hyundai Motor plans to launch its sports utility vehicle Santa Fe in India by next year. The company is also planning to launch an 800cc car in the country by 2011, Hyundai Motor India Managing Director H S Lheem said on Friday.

Speaking to reporters at the annual convention of the Society of Indian Car Manufacturers in New Delhi, Lheem did not, however, divulge details like price range of the two cars.

He also said Hyundai Motor India, the country's largest car exporter, also plans to raise its sales in the overseas market this year. ''Last year, we exported 2,45,000 units to over 100 countries from India. This year we are targeting an exports figure of 2,70,000 units,'' Lheem said.

The company is also looking to increase its domestic sales to 5,80,000 in the year up to December from 4,90,000 last year.

The carmaker is also shifting the production base of its premium hatchback i20 to one of its European plants by the middle of 2010. "This will be done to save logistics expenses and import duty in the European market," Lheem said.

He said the company would shift production of about 70,000 cars to Europe to get tax benefits. The company currently has an annual capacity to make 200,000 i20 cars in India.