Hyundai plans hybrid model
05.10.2011
W he auto motor und sport learned from corporate circles that the new model should be based on the i30 and have a plug-in hybrid. The new model would be the first Hyundai hybrid in Germany and will be presented at the end of 2012. The market launch should follow in 2013. In terms of price, the first Hyundai hybrid for Europe should be below the Prius, which is currently available at an entry-level price of just under 26,000 euros. Further details are not yet known.
Hybrid should conquer new groups of buyers
So far Hyundai has had a lot in Europe successfully conquered the market with very solid and inexpensive cars. Now new groups of buyers are to be reached with more sophisticated technology. So far, Hyundai has only offered one hybrid model, the Sonata in the USA and in its home market of Korea.
Allan Rushforth, Hyundai's European Vice President, is confident that Hyundai will break the 500,000 sales barrier in Europe much earlier than planned can skip. 'The i30 in particular could help us to close 2012 with 500,000 sales instead of 2013.' The figures so far confirm Rushforth's confidence. In a currently declining overall market in Europe, Hyundai grew by 10.1 percent.
