IANS | 19 Jul, 2008
Hyundai Motor Company (HMC) is planning to introduce a small car - one up above the Tata's Nano - and make India the small-car hub in the world, said Seok-San Jang, senior vice-president, international business operations, Hyundai Motor Company.

Addressing to the media at the company's global headquarters in Seoul, Jang said: "the global auto makers are grappling with alternate fuel solutions due to ever-increasing fuel prices as well as to meet the environmental norms. We are working on the fuel cell technologies, including on hybrid, hydrogen, bio and fossil fuels among other things. We hope to come out with hybrid vehicles in 2009."

"India will become the hub of small cars in the world and we plan to introduce the fuel cell technologies in our small car projects in India. Based on Indian policies, Hyundai will decide what kind of technology can be used for the country," he said.

He said, "the company is planning to introduce hybrid technology initially in Accent, Elantra, Sonata cars which will be subsequently introduced in small cars."

Confirming the company's plans to introduce a small car - one up above the Tata's forthcoming Nano - in India in due course of time, Jang said: "India is very important for HMC and its role in the global arena is to only increase further. It is important because it gives us competitive edge in the global markets due to cost and skill sets advantage."

Along with Hyundai, Maruti Suzuki has already shifted their complete manufacturing bases for their small cars to India.

Maruti exports Alto, Estilo, Wagon R, Omni, M800, to European and non-European markets Nissan also plans to bring its small car in the market. Moreover, the world is already waiting for Tata's ultra cheap car, Nano which shall hit the roads in October this year.