Hyundai has revealed images and details of the HB20, a locally-built B-segment model that will have its world premiere at the Sao Paulo motor show in October.
This new car has been specially designed to tackle the top sellers in the growing Brazilian market from Fiat, Volkswagen and Chevrolet, the local big three brands.
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The HB20 sedan and five-door hatchback are the first models for Hyundai’s new manufacturing base in the southeast of Brazil. This plant in the city of Piracicaba was only recently completed. The first five-door cars are due to roll off the line on 20 September, with local deliveries to commence in October.
“For Hyundai, the launch of HB20 means a lot more than simply presenting a new model. Unlike our other models currently offered in Brazil, HB20 is the first model strategically developed and produced exclusively for the Brazilian market. This new car is optimised to the taste of Brazilian consumers and the driving conditions in this country, with years of dedication from our engineers,” said Chang Kyun Han, the president of HMB, at a launch event.
All nine versions of the HB20 will have hydraulic power steering, dual front airbags, air-conditioning, a spoiler with a built-in brake light, a rear window wiper and storage compartments for all passengers.
The name ‘HB’ stands for Hyundai Brasil, while ’20’ is the company’s characterisation for vehicles in the B-segment, a category that includes models assembled on small or compact vehicle platforms.
The hatchback’s dimensions are quoted as follows: 3,900m long, 1,680mm wide and 1,470mm wide, with a 2,500mm long wheelbase. The latter is identical to the wheelbase dimension of the third generation Hyundai Verna/Accent/Brio from 2005.
Hyundai notes that the HB series will also have sedan and crossover versions that will come to market during 2013. Each will be built at the Piracicaba factory, which covers 1,390,000 square metres of land, of which 69,000 square metres will consist of facilities. The plant is Hyundai’s seventh overseas manufacturing base outside South Korea, after Turkey, India, China, the United States, the Czech Republic and Russia.
The company has invested the equivalent of US$600m at the new site. HMB says it has already hired 1,600 employees with plans to add a further 400 by 2013. The Piracicaba plant, together with operations set up by suppliers, will create an additional 3,000 jobs, the firm states. A further 20,000 jobs are expected to be indirectly created in the region.
Author: Glenn Brooks
