Hyundai Motor expects tougher competition in India as more global rivals enter the small car segment there but said it would continue to be a top player due to its big volumes and sprawling sales network.
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Hyundai is now the second largets brand in India market with about a 16% share, thanks to a strong line-up of compact cars such as the i10 and i20 hatchbacks.
Hyundai Motor India director Arvind Saxena told Reuters having a product was just one part of the equation, with a solid sales network being vital to becoming a big seller.
“Especially in a market (as big as) India, it’s very difficult to cover,” Saxena said at the Delhi auto show on Wednesday.
“Today we are spread out in 260-odd cities with 286 dealerships and 80 sales branches. We have deeper penetration,” he said, adding that Hyundai planned to expand that further to 320 dealerships and about 130 branches this year.
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By GlobalDataSaxena conceded, however, that profitability will come under pressure as competition heats up.
But he was optimistic that India’s car market would “remain strong” this year if excise duties and interest rates stayed stable, although last year’s growth rate of 17-18% would be difficult to match.
For Hyundai, Saxena said exports would be “more challenging” than in 2009, echoing views from local rival Maruti Suzuki India , which expects tough exports due to a likely drop in European demand this year.
Hyundai would explore exports from its Indian factory to new markets such as Australia and New Zealand, Saxena said.
Maruti recently began shipping its Alto to New Zealand. Earlier versions were sent from Japan.
