'B' segment car being developed by Hyundai

CHENNAI : Car major Hyundai is developing a 'B' segment car which they plan to launch in the next couple of years, H S Lheem, Managing Director, Hyundai Motor India Ltd said on Friday.
   
The company is also in the process of developing a 'public car' which will be reasonably priced, he said. The car could be expected to be priced below Rs three lakh, Lheem said here on Wednesday night after the launch of the i10 car.
    
"But it is still in the concept stage. From concept stage to translating into a real car, it will take four years. The car will be for both the Indian and export markets," he said adding that it would meet all international safety and emission norms.
   
To a query, he said the company had no plans to phase out the Santro.
   
"Next year, we target to sell 5.35 lakh Santro's. Of this, 50 per cent will be constituted by exports," Lheem said.
   
Asked about the impact of the rupee appreciation, he said one way to counter it against the dollar was to use more local content in the cars, as there would be no import duties on local content.
   
"The i10 has 94 per cent local content, while Santro has 86 per cent," he said.