Hyundai opens R&D facility to develop small cars

vijay · 8th November 2009, 01:46 PM

Over the past decade, Hyundai has rapidly moved up into the top echelon of the worlds automakers and part of its success has come from better tailoring its cars to local needs. To help in that respect, the South Korean company has opened a network of technical centers in the regions where it does business.

Last week, Hyundai opened it fourth R&D facility outside of Korea with its new location in Hyderabad, India. The Indian center will focus on developing small cars and the home office has named it the global center of excellence for the segment.

The Hyderabad Center is starting off with 300 engineers and will also be providing support services to other locations in South Korea, Japan, Germany and the United States. The 300,000 square-foot facility took two years to build at a cost of $25 million.

http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/03/h...op-small-cars/

350Z · 8th November 2009, 08:52 PM

Nice!
Looks like the development of Hyundai's upcoming "surprise car" will also start from there.

Drive Safe!
350Z

biker · 9th November 2009, 10:45 AM

that's a surprising step.Because ,IIRC read about Hyundai were planning to cease the export wing at Madras.(there was indefinite strikes etc in their Madras Plant)

RSM · 9th November 2009, 02:22 PM

I am sure, Hyundai will be leader in Indian auto market after few years.

Zinam · 9th November 2009, 03:03 PM

Well established Maruti & Loyal Customers will never make the brand go way that soon!

The competetion between Hyundai & maruti will be the same forever :)

Crazy cat · 9th November 2009, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by biker

that's a surprising step.Because ,IIRC read about Hyundai were planning to cease the export wing at Madras.(there was indefinite strikes etc in their Madras Plant)

This R&D centre will be located in Hyderabad.

RSM · 9th November 2009, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zinam

Well established Maruti & Loyal Customers will never make the brand go way that soon!

I agree this will not happen soon, but Hyundai also making loyal customers. Their products (i10 & i20) are on topping sales charts.

Crazy cat · 9th November 2009, 06:40 PM

Hyundai needs to break in the rural areas, like Maruti.

RSM · 9th November 2009, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crazy cat

Hyundai needs to break in the rural areas, like Maruti.

Completely agree. And also in smaller cities, Maruti still rules.

vijay · 10th November 2009, 01:11 PM

hyundai is following that step for rural market slowly and surely would do so.Company is going strong day by day and developing another R&D plant is a showcasing of their upcoming products and long term for indian market with superb quality and products like i10 and i20.

RSM · 17th November 2009, 04:57 PM

South Korean car-maker Hyundai will invest around Rs 800 crore to develop a small car for the Indian market that is likely to be launched in the next two years.

The firm, which has operations in India through a wholly -owned subsidiary, Hyundai Motor India Ltd, will manufacture the car, which will be smaller than the Santro, at its plant here.

Quote:

We are developing a small car and approximately Rs 800 crore will be invested at the Korean plant for development

newly appointed Managing Director and CEO of Hyundai Motor India Ltd (HMIL) Han-Woo Park told reporters.

He declined to give any details, but said:

Quote:

It will be smaller than the Santro and the price will also be lesser. It will take at least 24 months from now to launch the car in India. Right now, it is in the design stage.

"Initially it will be targetted at India but gradually it will also be exported," Han-Woo added.

"It will be manufactured at the Chennai plant once the design gets completed," he said.

Source - Economictimes