Hyundai to launch Terracan; to roll out 30 vehicles every day

Venkatachari Jagannathan
12 March 2003

Chennai: India’s sports utility vehicle (SUV) market is getting crowded. The latest news: Hyundai Motor India is deciding to launch its Terracan model very soon.

In a segment where Hindustan Motors (with the Pajero), General Motors (Chevrolet Forester), Tata Engineering (Tata Safari) and Mahindra & Mahindra (Scorpio) are present, and with others like Toyota Kirloskar Motors toying to launch the Prado and Maruti Suzuki the Grand Vitara, Hyundai Motor would not like to miss out the action.

According to Hyundai Motor officials the company waited to see what Budget 2003-04 held for import of such vehicles in a completely built-up unit (CBU).

While officials are silent about the proposed model, overseas the four-wheel drive Terracan comes in diesel (two types) and petrol versions. As a safety measure the model has dual airbags (driver and front passenger) and an anti-lock brake system.

Hyundai Motor has increased its daily production to 30 vehicles from 23 with minimal additional investments — extension of conveyor lines and the like. The company is also in the process of investing over $200 million to scale up the capacity.