Hyundai To Manufacture New Mass-Market EV In Chennai: Affordable SUV Incoming

Hyundai is set to manufacture its upcoming sub-4-meter EV in its Chennai plant. The South Korean car manufacturer will localise this mass-market product and use its Tamil Nadu manufacturing facility located in Chennai as a key production hub for the new electric vehicle.

Hyundai To Manufacture New Mass-Market EV

Hyundai Motor India is aggressively pushing for mass-market electric vehicles as part of its long-term growth strategy. The brand already sells the Hyundai Creta Electric and the Ioniq 5 premium electric SUV in the Indian market. Both models have helped strengthen Hyundai's position in the country's rapidly growing EV segment.

Now, the company is looking to enter the affordable electric vehicle space with the introduction of a new sub-4-meter electric SUV that is currently undergoing testing. Once development is completed, this EV SUV is expected to be launched as Hyundai's most affordable electric car in India, taking on rivals such as the Tata Punch EV and other entry-level electric SUVs.

This vehicle is expected to share several components and technologies with Hyundai's global electric vehicle lineup. Hyundai already sells the Inster EV in international markets with 42kWh and 49kWh battery pack options, making it a strong reference point for the upcoming model.

The 42kWh battery pack is already available in the Hyundai Creta Electric, where it produces 135PS of power and delivers a claimed driving range of up to 420km. Some reports suggest that a similar battery configuration could be considered for the upcoming compact electric SUV. One of its key highlights could be Hyundai SmartSense Level 2 ADAS technology, enhancing both safety and convenience.

Other expected features include leatherette upholstery, Alexa integration, a multi-display digital cluster, twin panoramic screens, a premium sound system, digital key functionality, wireless connectivity, Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) support, an all-LED lighting setup, and paddle shifters for adjusting regenerative braking levels.

Hyundai is planning to maximise localisation over the next five years. This strategy could help the company price the vehicle aggressively while offering a feature-rich package with strong value for money. Pricing is expected to start at around Rs 15 lakh (ex-showroom), making it a highly competitive offering in India's affordable EV segment.