Shah Rukh In Santro Sequel

Hyundai Motor India may have a new ad agency, but it's sticking with a tried and tested face. The company, which recently replaced Siesta Saatchi and Saatchi with Bates Clarion, has renewed its contract with Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan _ reportedly at a much higher price.

Khan starred in the Santro ad campaign, which helped the car become a major brand in a short time.

Bates Clarion is yet to take a decision on whether he will endorse the Accent _ Hyundai's new mid-sized luxury car.

However, Khan is slotted for a series of peppy ads _both print and audio-visual _ that will be part of a blitzkreig to push up Santro sales. The ads are also expected to help counter the launch of the original `tall boy' _ Suzuki's Wagon R.

 

Hyundai Motor is also launching a sportier version of the 20-month old Santro. Christened `Santro Zip Drive', the new version _ to be endorsed by Khan _ has some cosmetic changes.

Within the next couple of days, Hyundai will phase out existing Santro versions and launch the car with a horizontal front drill and other minor changes throughout India. Power steering will also be introduced in the DXi version.

The new Santro versions will also be priced slightly higher than the present Rs 3.59 lakh and Rs 3.79 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) for the DXi and DXii, respectively.

Apparently, most buyers were going in for either the Santro Standard (priced at Rs 3.16 lakh, ex-showroom, Delhi) or the top-end model -- Santro DXii -- and there were few takers for the DXi (or the non power steering version). The company hopes to generate demand for DXi with the launch of the new Zip Drive version.

The top end version of Santro (DXii) will also come with a rear spoiler to give it a sportier look. Hyundai wants to let out a peppy, sporty image. And what better way to do it than by getting it endorsed by Baadshah Khan!