Hyundai’s Santro touches 5 lakh export units

Hyundai Motor India Limited has announced that its Santro has registered exports of more than 5 lakh units from the country. On the occasion, H.W. Park, MD & CEO, HMIL, said, “I am extremely delighted to announce that the export of the Santro has reached 5 lakh units. Right from the time of its launch, this popular car has been widely appreciated for its design, technology and safety. With this we gear up for next phase of growth and remain committed in bringing world class products and service to our customers.” HMIL began exporting cars in 1999 when it shipped a batch of 20 Santros to Nepal and it reached the first milestone of exporting 100,000 cars in 2004. In 2005 it exported its 200,000th car followed by its 300,000th car and 400,000th car in 2006 and 2007 respectively. By exporting the 500,000th car in 2008, HMIL had become the ‘fastest’ Indian passenger car manufacturer to achieve this stupendous milestone in record time. In a little over a decade since Hyundai has been present in India it has become the leading exporter of passenger cars with a market share of 57 pc of the total exports of passenger cars from India. As Hyundai Motor Company’s global export hub for compact cars, HMIL is the first automotive company in India to achieve the export of 10 lakh cars in just over a decade. HMIL exports cars to more than 115 countries across EU, Africa, Middle East, Latin America and Asia-Pacific. It has been the number one exporter of passenger car of the country for the sixth year in a row. HMIL accounts 40 pc of its total production to exports from India. It currently exports the Santro, i10, i20 and the Accent models.