 "Hyundai India enters commercial mobility segment amid rising competition")
Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL) on Tuesday entered the commercial mobility segment with the launch of its taxi offerings Prime HB (hatchback) and Prime SD (sedan), marking an expansion beyond its traditional focus on private passenger vehicles (PVs).
The move comes at a time of heightened competition in the domestic market, with the South Korean carmaker expected to lose its second position by the end of 2025. The automaker is projected to slip to fourth place behind Mahindra & Mahindra and Tata Motors as per Vahan registrations. Maruti Suzuki holds the top spot.
The Prime taxi range has been developed specifically for fleet operators and taxi entrepreneurs, with an emphasis on low operating costs, predictable maintenance, and high vehicle uptime. Both models are powered by Hyundai’s 1.2-litre Kappa four-cylinder engine, with petrol and factory-fitted CNG options. The company has priced the Prime HB at ₹5.99 lakh and the Prime SD at ₹6.89 lakh (ex-showroom), with bookings open at dealerships for a token amount of ₹5,000.
HMIL said the new range combines competitive pricing with features aimed at commercial usage, including a company-fitted speed-limiting function capped at 80 kmph, six airbags, rear AC vents, power windows, rear parking sensors, and steering-mounted controls. Optional accessories such as a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a rear camera, and a vehicle location tracking device with panic buttons have also been introduced to meet regulatory and operational requirements for taxis.
“With the introduction of Prime HB and Prime SD, Hyundai is proud to enter the commercial mobility space with products engineered for trust, reliability and good earning potential,” said Tarun Garg, managing director and chief executive officer (CEO)-designate, HMIL. He added that the company’s extensive service network, extended warranty packages, and flexible finance options would help fleet operators improve earnings while ensuring safe and comfortable mobility for passengers.
To address the high running typical of taxi operations, HMIL is offering specially designed extended warranty packages covering fourth and fifth years or up to 1.8 lakh km, whichever is earlier, along with low maintenance costs estimated at 47 paise per km. Flexible financing options with repayment tenures of up to 72 months, and dedicated fleet-care advisors at dealerships are expected to support both first-time and expanding fleet owners.
The launch assumes significance as HMIL looks to diversify volumes and tap into a price-sensitive, high-usage segment at a time when competition in the private PV market continues to intensify.