Hyundai India has made its entry into the entry-level SUV segment with the launch of their micro SUV, Exter. Priced between Rs 5.99 lakh and Rs 9.31 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi), Exter will directly compete with Tata Motors’ Punch in the Indian market.
The new micro SUV is powered by a 1.2-litre petrol engine and is available in both manual and automatic variants. The manual trims, with a claimed fuel efficiency of 19.4 km per litre, are priced between Rs 5.99 lakh and Rs 9.31 lakh. On the other hand, the five-speed automatic version is priced at Rs 7.96 lakh with a claimed fuel efficiency of 19.2 km per litre.
Additionally, Hyundai also offers a CNG version of the Exter, priced at Rs 8.23 lakh, with an efficiency of 27.1 km per kg.
Some notable features of the Exter include a boot space of 391 litres, a ground clearance of 185 mm, a dash cam with dual cameras, an electric sunroof, and six airbags as standard. The SUV also comes with various connected features.
During the launch event, Hyundai India MD and CEO, Unsoo Kim, stated that with the Exter, Hyundai is now a full-range SUV manufacturer in the country. The company has invested Rs 950 crore in developing the model.
Hyundai Motor India COO, Tarun Garg, believes that the Exter will bring in additional volumes for the company while strengthening its overall SUV portfolio. He mentioned that the entry-level SUV segment could witness monthly sales of 20,000-22,000 units with the launch of the Exter.
Garg also highlighted that with the introduction of the Exter, Hyundai becomes the only company to offer products in all six SUV sub-segments. Currently, SUVs contribute 54% of the company’s overall sales, which is a significant increase from 34% in 2019.
Apart from the Exter, Hyundai already sells various SUV models in India, including Venue, Creta, Alcazar, Tucson, Kona Electric, and Ioniq 5.
According to industry data, Tata Punch currently sells around 11,000 units per month. In 2022, the model recorded sales of 1,29,895 units. During the January-June period of 2023, sales stood at 67,117 units.
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