Hyundai Motor India, the second largest carmaker in India is eyeing the viability of roping in its entire diesel car model range for its Indian car portfolio in order to cash in on the higher demand for diesel cars in respect to petrol cars as well as compete with Maruti Suzuki in various diesel car segments.
The company is currently in a dilemma about setting up a diesel engine production plant in India due to the uncertainty of the government’s stance on the proposed additional tax on diesel cars in India. One of the car models that the company plans to introduce in India is the i10 diesel version currently being sold in Europe with a 1.1 liter diesel engine. The engine offers an efficiency of 23 kilometers per liter at relatively stricter fuel norms of Europe.
According to Mr. Arvind Saxena Director (Marketing and Sales) Hyundai Motor India, some changes will have to be made in the European car models in order to match the fuel norms in India. He added that such development processes can be carried out at a diesel engine production plant.