Hyundai Motor India has discontinued its flagship internal combustion engine (ICE) model, the Tucson, from the domestic market. The 5-seater SUV was priced between Rs 27.32 lakh and Rs 33.64 lakh (ex-showroom).
In an official statement, a Hyundai spokesperson said, "The Hyundai Tucson has been discontinued in the Indian market. However, in line with our customer-centric philosophy and regular industry practice, we remain fully committed to providing continued service and support to all existing Tucson customers as per company policy."
"We look forward to introducing a new generation of innovative and exciting products that embody Hyundai's global technology leadership and reinforce our brand vision of Progress for Humanity," the spokesperson added.
The Tucson was struggling with low volumes in the domestic market. Hyundai sold merely 450 units of the SUV in the first seven months of the current fiscal, from April to October.
Historically speaking, 5-seater SUVs from the mass-market brands priced in the north of Rs 25 lakh (ex-showroom) have garnered an underwhelming response in India. The volumes of such models tend to be relatively lower than the 7-seater models.
The fact that the Tucson was sold in India as a completely knocked down (CKD) model added to its price. It was assembled at Hyundai's Chennai plant.
Following the recent Goods and Services Tax (GST) rate rationalisation, the Tucson received the maximum price cut in Hyundai's portfolio. The SUV became cheaper by up to Rs 2.40 lakh.
With the Tucson discontinued, Hyundai's ICE SUV portfolio has models like the Exter, Venue, Creta and Alcazar. The Venue and the Creta are among the largest-selling SUVs in India.
Interestingly, the Tucson was the only Hyundai car to be tested at Bharat NCAP, with its safety ratings officially declared. It scored five stars in both the adult occupant protection category and the child occupant protection category.
The spokesperson said that Hyundai remains steadfast in its commitment to the Indian market and its valued customers. "As part of our long-term strategic roadmap, we have announced a planned investment of Rs 45,000 crore in India by FY30. This investment will support the introduction of 26 new products across multiple powertrain technologies, including 13 ICE models, five electric vehicles (EVs), eight hybrids and six CNG variants," the spokesperson noted. Going forward, Hyundai will also introduce MPVs and off-roaders in the Indian market.
The Tucson had a couple of engine options -- 2.0-litre petrol (154bhp and 192Nm) and 2.0-litre diesel (184bhp and 416Nm). The petrol unit was clubbed with a 6-speed automatic gearbox, sending power to the front wheels. The diesel unit employed an 8-speed automatic transmission, with with 4WD choice.
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