Hyundai rolls out Verna for Indian market

Hyderabad, Sept 26: Hyundai Motor India had launched its all new model Verna car offered in both diesel and petrol engines to consolidate its portfolio in the mid-size car segment.

Combines International styling, power packed performance, luxurious interiors and high-end safety features, the new Verna offered for a price of between Rs 6,21,499 to Rs 7,35,499.

Launching the Verna Hyundai Motor India Managing Director H S Lheem said that Verna pays a high regard to the Indian Executive, family needs and maximises the benefit of the largest wheelbase in its class by way of a generous cabin.

Mr Lheem said the 1.6 litre gasoline engine of Verna uses the Variable Timing Valve Train(VTVT) technollgy, which lends the engine flexibilty of valve timing based on load and speed conditions.

He said in case of diesel, the VGT technology of Verna added to the Common Rail Direct Injection (CRDI) technology the advantage of inter-cooled Turbocharger. The Verna was in line with the world's best in safety feaetures, as it comes loaded with active safety elements like the large diameter ventilated disc brakes, he added.

He said 'When our team of market researchers and planners surveyed the market, they found an undefined yet clearly visible vertical split in the largest growing segment of the market. The Huyndai Verna addresses this segment. The car has recevied rave reviews in the US and European markets and was now all set to drive into the hearts of our Indian customers.

Mr Lheem said to complement the powerful engines, the body offers high torsional rigidity which results in reduced body roll and enhanced stability during high speed cornering. The verna comes loaded with premimum features like Fully Automatic AC front and rear centre arm-rests, a double DIN MP3 audio and electric outside rear view mirrors, added.

He said the company planned to establish Research and Development Centre either in Hyderabad or at Chennai. The Company was looking for a site here and the negotiations were going on with the State Government, he added.

He said the company presently markets 36 variants of passenger cars in six segments. The company recorded combined sales of 252,851 units during calender year 2005 with a growth of 17.26 per cent over 2004, he added.

Hyundai Motor India Limitted(HMIL) was India's fastest growing car company having rolled out 10,00,000 cars in just 90 months since its inception and was the largest exporter of passenger cars with exports of over Rs 1800 crore.

He said the company's state-of-the-art manufacturing plant near Chennai boasts some of the most advanced production, quality and testing capabilities in the country.

In continuation of its investment in providing the Indian customer global technololgy, HMIL had announced plans for its second plant, which would produce 300,000 units per annum, raising the total production capacity to 600,000 per annum by 2007, he added.

UNI