Hyundai India launched its N Line flagship model, the Creta N Line at a competitive price starting from Rs 16.82 lakh, ex-showroom, undercutting its rival the Kia Seltos GT Line and X Line variants. Hyundai has launched an N Line model every year since 2021 starting from the i20 N Line then Venue N Line in 2022, facelift i20 N Line in 2023 and now the Creta N Line.
So, what’s next for the N Line portfolio in India? We caught up with Tarun Garg, COO, of Hyundai Motor India who sheds some light on the N Line range and battery electric vehicles (BEV).
No Verna N Line: Hyundai India
There’s been a flurry of media reports speculating whether Hyundai is working on the Verna N Line, which looked like a natural fit as it’s available with the 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine. Garg said, “Hyundai has no plans of taking out a Verna N Line as for now”.
With the market share of sedans dwindling to 8 percent, the sales numbers don’t justify taking out a special edition sedan. Based on January 2024 numbers, Verna continues to lead the charge for midsize sedans with 2,172 units followed by Volkswagen Virtus and Skoda Slavia with 1,879 units and 1,242 units respectively.
Focus on BEVs, not hybrids: Hyundai India
The proverbial debate continues whether to invest in hybrids or opt for electric vehicles. With Hyundai offering a range of hybrids in the global market, could the Korean manufacturer introduce it in India? Garg was quick to point out that a company’s strategies are based on government policies and right now the focus is on all-electric vehicles due to the FAME II subsidies (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles in India).
He said, one also keeps an eye on the local OEM investments and both Mahindra and Tata are banking on battery electric vehicles (BEV). “Therefore, we have no plans to bring hybrids because the India strategy is more focused on BEVs. For the global market, Hyundai has hybrid technology and vehicles, but BEVs are the way forward here.” He further added, “We will be localising the battery packs which will help us bring down the cost and allow us to introduce more BEVs in the future.”