New Delhi - South Korean automaker Hyundai Motor India launched its 2022 Venue with mid-life-cycle upgrades. The company has received about 15,000 pre-bookings for the new model. However, there were 25,000 units accumulated for the old Venue. Hyundai India official said the company will clear the backlog of the old model first.
“Hyundai has a total backlog of 135,000 units across its model range, due to the shortage of semiconductors in the industry. We have informed customers of the new location that the model comes with a three-month waiting period,” said Tarun Garg, Director (Sales, Marketing and Services) at Hyundai Motor India on the sidelines of the launch of the upgraded compact SUV.
Our priority is to clear the backlog of the old model. Some of their customers, have converted their purchases from the old model to the new model.
On Thursday, the automaker launched the upgraded Venue with an introductory price of INR 7.53 lakh, which could go up to INR 9.99 lakh (all prices, ex-showroom). Available in three powertrain options, the Kappa 1.2 MPi Petrol, the Kappa 1.0 Turbo GDi Petrol and the U2 1.5 CRDi Diesel, the model comes with 11 Series 1 features and more than 40 design changes compared to the old Venue.
First launched in the Indian market in May 2019 at a starting price of INR 6.50 lakh, the 2022 Venue is a compact SUV under 4m that competes with Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza, Tata Nexon, Mahindra XUV300, Kia Sonet and Renault Kiger.
Garg said that despite the shortage of semiconductors, consumer demand remains strong in the Indian passenger car market.
About rival Tata Motors, which has been ranked second in the industry twice in six months, he said: “We are a long-term player and we have no reason to believe we will not do well. We will do it right, and we will do everything we can to not only deliver volumes, but also deliver sustainable offerings. For customers. We never believed our efforts or our identity were limited to a month or two. We have to look for a much more stable system.”
Hyundai's new 2022 Venue is available with 7 color options, including one in two colours. The company said it has improved design elements in the rear seat to increase knee room, leg room and support for the thighs. The model now comes with a rear seat back tilt, ambient nature sound, 12 languages, an air purifier and more than 60 features connected to flashing paper.
According to Garg, the company's strategy of saving all three fuels has helped it sustain itself. “In the entry-level segment, Hyundai provides petrol and CNG. In SUVs we have petrol and diesel. For electric, we introduce the Kona and soon we will bring the Ioniq 5.”
On the upcoming new models which are expected to compete with the company's Creta, the Hyundai official said, "The competition always gives customers options. Hyundai Creta is a prestigious brand and our confidence in it is still very strong."
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