Hyundai: Mild-hybrid technology coming next year

Hyundai will be launching its mild-hybrid technology in India in 2018. This step is a part of the company’s plans to exploit the demand for hybrid and mild-hybrid cars in the country. If the plans work out as expected, Hyundai will become the third manufacturer to offer mild-hybrid cars in its portfolio, with Maruti Suzuki and Mahindra being the first two.

Hyundai India’s Managing Director and CEO – YK Koo has indicated that the company will initially be introducing mild-hybrid technology in the compact and SUV segments. However, he hasn’t mentioned what cars will be getting the said technology. The first Hyundai mild-hybrid car could be launched around May 2018.

The CEO claimed that introducing full hybrids into mass volume segments is not a feasible option due to the expensive nature of the technology. However, since the government is offering excise duty cuts for mild-hybrid cars under the FAME India initiative, it made sense to equip compact cars with this technology and avail the benefits offered.

In addition to mild-hybrids, Hyundai is also planning to launch the Ioniq plug-in hybrid in India during the 2018 Auto Expo.

Source: ET Auto