Hyundai Motor Group, the South Korean auto major, has set its sights on expanding its annual production capacity across its Hyundai and Kia brands in India to 1.5 lakh units per year. This strategic move aligns with the company’s mid-to-long-term growth aspirations in the Indian market, as outlined by Executive Chair Euisun Chung during his visit to the country on April 23. Hyundai Motor Group’s expansion plans encompass the establishment of an annual production system that will collectively produce 1.5 million vehicle units for Hyundai Motor India and Kia India. Hyundai Motor India is poised to commence operations at its Pune plant, acquired from General Motors last year, in the second half of next year. The automaker is currently upgrading the facility to transform it into a production hub capable of churning out over 200,000 units annually. When combined with the Chennai plant’s production capacity of 824,000 units, Hyundai Motor will boast an annual production capacity exceeding one million units. Simultaneously, Kia India’s yearly production capacity is set to expand to 431,000 units within the first half of this year. This combined production capacity will empower Hyundai Motor Group to produce approximately 1.5 million units annually in India. The group’s strategic roadmap also includes expanding its EV lineup and establishing a comprehensive EV ecosystem to accelerate customer adoption and bolster charging infrastructure. Strengthening its SUV sales leadership in India is another key focus area for Hyundai Motor Group. Hyundai Motor India is gearing up to unveil its first locally produced EV in India next year. Commencing with the mass production of its first electric SUV model at the Chennai plant in late 2024, the company intends to introduce five additional EV models by 2030. Hyundai Motor India will leverage its sales network hubs to expand the number of EV charging stations to 485 by 2030. Kia India, too, will initiate production of its local EV model in 2025, with plans to expand its EV portfolio further. The company will also prioritize the development of EV charging infrastructure. “India is one of the fastest-growing economies globally, and as this growth continues, the strategic importance of Hyundai Motor India will only increase,” asserted Chung while addressing employees at a town hall meeting. He further elaborated, “By leveraging our strong reputation and competitive quality in India, we aim to expand exports to neighboring countries, making India the global export hub to boost our regional market competitiveness.” Chung expressed optimism that by 2030, the EV market in India is anticipated to witness substantial growth. “In anticipation of this evolution, Hyundai is focused on developing locally tailored EVs aimed at establishing us as a leading global EV brand,” he added. “We also plan to proactively build charging stations at strategic locations, including dealerships, to facilitate the adoption of EVs,” Chung emphasized. Hyundai Motor India’s current offerings in the Indian market include models like Creta and Verna, while Kia India’s portfolio comprises models like Seltos, Carens, and Sonet.
Hyundai Motor Group Targets 1.5 Million Annual Production Capacity in India
