Hyundai Looks To Leverage India Growth Story, Says IPO Listing Funds to Be Deployed Towards New Products, Tech and R&D

L-R: Wangdo Hur, CFO & Whole Time Director, Hyundai Motor India; Unsoo Kim, MD, Hyundai Motor India; Tarun Garg, COO & Whole Time Director, Hyundai Motor India; Gopalakrishnan CS, Chief Manufacturing Officer & Whole Time Director, Hyundai Motor India.

It is nearly 20 years since India saw a carmaker getting listed on the stock exchange, and this time, it is a South Korean automaker Hyundai Motor India.

The automaker aims to raise upto INR 278 billion by offloading 17.5 percent stake at a price band in the range of INR 1,865 to INR 1,960 per share.

The issue will be available for subscription between 15 October to 17 October, 2024.

This will also make it the largest IPO (Initial Public Offering) in India till date, surpassing Life Insurance Corporation of India’s INR 210 billion IPO that debuted in May 2022; and the biggest IPO listing for 2024 in the world.

Hyundai Motor India, will become the latest automaker in India to debut on the stock exchange, after Maruti Suzuki India’s debut in 2003.

What’s interesting to note is that the funds raised by the company’s parent company Hyundai Motor Group, which then is expected to re-invest the funds in the company, but the exact quantum and timeline has yet to be clarified.

The IPO comes at a time when the Indian stock market is seeing huge traction with lot many new companies entering the foray. Hyundai Motor Group sees India as a huge growth market, that not only contributes to 6 percent of the company’s global revenues but also acts as a leading exporter for the Asian market.

The company has company a long way since it first introduced the Santro hatchback in 1998 and has made a prominent name for itself as the second largest car maker in India for over two decades, and the largest passenger vehicle exporter.

In FY2024, the company reported wholesales of 777,876 units, which marks 13 percent CAGR growth over FY2022 and FY2023; similarly, the average selling price has increased from INR 666,455 to INR 771,840; FY2024 revenue growth of 47 percent over FY2022 and net income growing from INR 29,016 million to INR 60,600 million in FY2024 respectively.

Hyundai Motor India aims to deploy the new funds (potential investment from Hyundai Motor Group) towards building new products, investment in new technologies and R&D in the country.

HYUNDAI MOTOR INDIA
Year Sales (in units) Avg Sales Price (in INR) Revenue (in INR million) Net income (in INR million)
FY2022 610,760 669,455 473,784 29,016
FY2023 720,565 725,416 603,076 17,093
FY2024 777,876 771,840 698,291 60,600
Source: Hyundai India
Volkswagen Tayron R-Line

Volkswagen India has started the local assembly of the Tayron R-Line SUV at its manufacturing facility in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. The commencement of production aligns with the company's schedule to launch the vehicle within the first quarter of 2026. This move follows the global debut of the model less than a year ago and forms part of the brand’s strategy to expand its SUV portfolio in the Indian market.

The facility in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar is now producing the model to ensure readiness for the upcoming commercial release.

The SUV occupies a position as a premium offering within the Volkswagen India line-up. Its introduction aims to address demand for larger vehicles that provide both space and practicality. The local assembly process allows the company to manage its supply chain and operational readiness as it prepares for the official market entry.

Piyush Arora, MD & CEO, Skoda Auto Volkswagen India, said, “The start of production for another world-class model - the Tayron R-Line at our Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar facility represents a strategic step forward for Volkswagen India's SUV portfolio. This milestone reflects our unwavering commitment to putting the customer at the heart of our engineering, ensuring every detail resonates with the lifestyle and aspirations of our patrons. We aim to deliver a distinctive choice for premium SUV customers while reinforcing our operational strength and readiness to meet the evolving expectations of the Indian automotive market.”

Nitin Kohli, Brand Director, Volkswagen Passenger Cars India, added, “We believe there is a strong demand for premium German-engineered cars here in India and our plan is to make these cars more accessible to our customers. The Tayron R-Line has rolled-off the production line today at the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar plant, in less than a year since its global launch and that is our level of commitment to driving growth in India.”

MG SELECT Unveils MG Cyberster In New Irises Cyan Colour

MG Cyberster

MG Select, the luxury vehicle brand from JSW MG Motor India, has introduced a signature exterior finish for the MG Cyberster named Irises Cyan. The blue-green hue is designed to highlight the aerodynamic profile of the roadster, which serves as the brand's performance flagship.

The MG Cyberster references the design of the MG B Roadster through its proportions and silhouette. Key features of the vehicle include electric scissor doors and a soft-top roof. This model is positioned within the luxury performance segment, focusing on the integration of heritage design with contemporary engineering.

The introduction of Irises Cyan expands the existing colour palette for the Cyberster. At present, the vehicle is available in dual-tone options, including Nuclear Yellow and Flare Red with black roofs. Other combinations include Andes Grey and Modern Beige, which are paired with red roofs to contrast with the vehicle's bodywork.

The colour choices are intended to complement the car's proportions and performance identity. Each finish is selected to offer a degree of individuality for customers within the luxury automotive market.

Milind Shah, Head - MG SELECT, JSW MG Motor India, said, “MG Cyberster's Irises Cyan goes beyond a colour choice. It brings out a sense of confidence and creativity while reflecting the car’s progressive character and staying true to its performance driven DNA. At MG SELECT, design guides every decision we make. Each addition is intentionally developed to offer greater individuality and a heightened sense of luxury, allowing customers to build a stronger personal connection with their Cyberster.”

Kia India Crosses 500,000-Units Sales Milestone For Sonet SUV

Kia Sonet

Kia India, one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers in the country, has announced that its subcompact SUV – the Kia Sonet, has surpassed 500,000 unit sales milestone in the domestic market.

The Sonet SUV represents approximately 35 percent of the company's total sales volume in India. The made-in-India Sonet is also exported to nearly 70 international markets, with over 100,000 units sent to regions including the Middle East, South America and Asia-Pacific.

The SUV has recorded annual sales exceeding 100,000 units for two consecutive years. Available in various powertrain and transmission configurations, the Sonet has seen a concentration of demand in its higher specification trims. Kia India currently manages a network of 821 touchpoints across 369 cities to support its sales and service operations.

The Sonet is a central component of Kia’s 'Make in India' strategy. The success of the model in both urban and emerging markets is attributed to its range of engine options and integrated technology features. By reaching this milestone, the company has consolidated its position in the subcompact SUV segment, which remains one of the most competitive areas of the Indian automotive industry.

Sunhack Park, Chief Sales Officer, Kia India, said. “Crossing the 500,000 sales milestone for the Sonet is a moment of pride for all of us at Kia India. Every Sonet sold represents a customer who believed in Kia and this is a powerful endorsement of the trust Indian buyers have shown us. This journey reinforces how our focus on delivering meaningful design, advanced technology, and dependable performance has resonated with buyers across the country. We remain deeply grateful to our customers for being integral to this success.”

VinFast VF 6 And VF 7 Secure 5-Star Bharat NCAP Safety Ratings

VinFast VF7

VinFast India has announced that its VF 6 and VF 7 electric SUVs have been awarded 5-star safety certifications by the Bharat New Car Assessment Programme (Bharat NCAP). These ratings represent the highest safety tier under the Indian government's vehicle assessment framework, which evaluates occupant protection through crash testing protocols.

The Bharat NCAP data reveals that the VF 6 scored 27.13 out of 32 points for Adult Occupant Protection (AOP) and 44.41 out of 49 points for Child Occupant Protection (COP). The VF 7 recorded 28.54 points in AOP and 45.25 points in COP. During frontal impact assessments, both models received maximum scores of 4.000 for head, neck, and upper leg protection for both driver and passenger. In side impact tests, both vehicles achieved scores of 16.000 for adults and 8.000 for children.

The assessment included a pole side impact test, where the head injury values for the VF 6 and VF 7 were 109 and 131, respectively. These figures are below the Bharat NCAP threshold of 700, indicating the performance of the vehicle structures in lateral collisions. Both SUVs are manufactured at VinFast’s facility in Tamil Nadu and utilise an electric vehicle platform equipped with seven airbags.

The vehicles incorporate Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), with features varying by specification. These systems include Adaptive Cruise Control, Emergency Lane Keeping Assist and Automatic Emergency Braking for both front and rear. Other technologies integrated into the models include Blind Spot Detection and Auto Lane Changing Assist, designed to monitor traffic conditions and assist in collision avoidance.

This certification follows previous safety recognitions for the brand, including a five-star rating from ASEAN NCAP for the VF 8 model. The VF 6 and VF 7 are part of a domestic ecosystem that includes a local manufacturing plant, charging infrastructure, and a retail network established through partnerships with Indian stakeholders.

Tapan Ghosh, CEO, VinFast India, said, “The 5-star safety ratings awarded to VF 6 and VF 7 by Bharat NCAP mark an important milestone, underscoring the quality and high safety standards of VinFast’s electric vehicles in India, one of the world’s largest automotive markets. These results show that VinFast EVs are built on a robust engineering foundation and meet stringent safety assessment requirements. We remain committed to continued investment in product improvement, delivering electric vehicles that are not only environmentally friendly and technologically advanced, but also provide customers with confidence and peace of mind throughout the journey toward electrified mobility.”