We want to become No. 1 EV player in India, says Hyundai's Unsoo Kim

"The Indian govt's initiatives on EVs are very strong and customers want to buy EVs. This will make the country's conversion to EVs faster than other markets, and I hope even faster than the US"

Following the launch of the new Verna on Tuesday, Hyundai Motor India CEO and Managing Director Unsoo Kim talks to Surajeet Das Gupta about the reasons behind the firm’s big push in sedans and its game plan in electric vehicles. Edited excerpts:

Every car maker has been focusing on the high- growth SUV segment for the last few years. What made you come out with a different strategy and launch the new Verna in the sedan segment?  

The trend towards SUVs is global. It is happening in the US and now also in Europe, which has been a hatchback market.