Hyundai Nears 10 Million Cumulative Sales in India, With SUVs Driving Growth

Sold 9.88 million vehicles since entering the market in 1998
Locally developed SUVs such as the Creta and Exter drive sales growth

More than 30 years after entering the Indian market, Hyundai Motor Company is nearing 10 million cumulative vehicle sales in the country. The milestone follows the expansion of its sport utility vehicle (SUV) lineup to meet local consumer demand and the strengthening of its production base. Hyundai plans to increase local production capacity alongside sales in India and develop the country into a global export hub.

According to the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), Hyundai had sold a cumulative 9,884,960 vehicles in India from its market entry in 1998 through September this year. It is highly likely to surpass 10 million cumulative sales by the end of the year. After reaching cumulative sales of 1 million in 2007 and 5 million in 2017, Hyundai has continued to grow its sales.

Hyundai Motor's vehicle lineup in India. Hyundai Motor Company

Hyundai established its Indian subsidiary in 1996 and began local operations in 1998, producing the small Santro at its Chennai plant. The Santro raised Hyundai's profile in India with its spacious interior and practicality. The company later broadened its sales base by introducing compact and subcompact models such as the i10, i20 and Verna.

Its sales strategy then shifted toward SUVs. After launching the Creta, an SUV developed for the local market, in 2015, Hyundai diversified its lineup with the Venue in 2019, the Alcazar in 2021 and the Exter in 2023. These models are characterized by spacious interiors, high ground clearance and convenience and safety features favored by local consumers.

The Creta sold more than 40,000 units in its first year on the market and was named Indian Car of the Year (ICOTY) in 2016. The Exter, featuring an affordable price, six airbags and a sunroof, among other selling points, sold more than 47,000 units within six months of its launch. It was named Indian Car of the Year in 2024. Hyundai is also expanding its electrified lineup, including with the launch of the locally produced Creta EV in 2025.

SUVs are also accounting for an increasing share of Hyundai's sales in India. After exceeding half of total sales in 2021, the SUV share approached 70% last year. SUV sales totaled 398,937 units last year, of which 282,666 were the three SUVs developed for the local market: the Creta, Exter and Alcazar.

Hyundai sold 471,724 vehicles in India from January through September this year, including 316,026 SUVs. Hyundai CEO Jose Munoz said at the 2026 CEO Investor Day that the company aims to increase the SUV share of its sales in India to 80% by 2030. Hyundai plans to expand its lineup by introducing a new model of the compact SUV Bayon in India as well.

Hyundai is also expanding production capacity. It operates Plants 1 and 2 in Chennai and a plant in Pune. The Chennai plants have an annual production capacity of 824,000 units, while the Pune plant can produce 170,000 units, bringing Hyundai's total local production capacity to about 994,000 units.

Hyundai plans to increase production capacity at its Pune plant to 250,000 units in 2028 and 320,000 units in 2030. Through this expansion, the company aims to raise its total production capacity in India to more than 1.1 million units a year. By 2030, Hyundai plans to increase its local parts-sourcing rate to more than 90% and its export share to as much as 30%, positioning India as a global production and export hub.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.