Hyundai Offers New Santro Version
Hyundai Motor India Ltd (HMIL) yesterday launched its new Santro version -- zipDrive. With this new variant, HMIL is offering power steering to its consumers on the Santro GLS I variant for an additional Rs 882 only.
While all the Santro variants will now sport a new radiator grille, Santro zipDrive (or power steering) will be available in two variants -- Santro zipDrive LS and Santro zipDrive GS. The GS version comes with a power steering and a new rear spoilers.
Santro GLS I (non-metallic), which used to cost Rs 3,55,618 (ex-showroom, Delhi), has now been christened Santro zipDrive LS and will cost Rs 3,56,500. Santro GLS II -- which was priced at Rs 3,75,248 (ex-showroom, Delhi) will now cost Rs 3,79,499. HMIL has also increased the price of the standard version of the Santro by Rs 3,000.
The standard version now costs Rs 3,15,500 (ex-showroom, Delhi), against Rs 3,12,551 earlier. The only additions to the standard version is the new radiator grill and a rear wiper.
With the launch of the zipDrive range, the company hopes that 30 per cent of the sales for the standard version of the Santro will now go to Santro zipDrive LS, B V R Subbu, director (Marketing), HMIL, said here yesterday. At present, 74 per cent of Santro sales are for the base version.
"The launch of zipDrive is based on customer feedback of over 19 months," he said adding that the company's endeavour is to bring the immense advantage of power steering within the reach of maximum car buyers. The zipDrive range will also come in two new colours -- Imperial Red and India Blue.
Last year, Hyundai sold 58,629 units of the Santro, thereby capturing 27 per cent of the market segment.
For same period, Maruti sold 77,786 units of the Zen and reported a market share of 36 per cent.
The other players in the segment -- Matiz, Uno and Indica -- posted 11 per cent, 7 per cent and 18 per cent market shares in the segment respectively.
However, in 2000, Zen and Santro are neck-to-neck. So far, Zen has sold 28,818 units, whereas Santro has posted a sales figure of 25,613 units.
Therefore, while Zen's market share is 25 per cent, Santro's is at 24 per cent. The new entrant Wagon R has captured a market share of 8 per cent with the sale of 8,264 units.