Hyundai Motor's exports from India crossed the half million mark on March 27, nine years after it started shipping to overseas markets. The milestone was reached with the loading of a consignment of its latest model, the i10, at Chennai port in southern India, said Hyundai Motor India, the country's largest carmaker and number one exporter.
The company began exports from India -- now Hyundai's largest manufacturing base outside its home market -- by sending 20 cars to the neighboring Himalayan country of Nepal in 1999. Exports reached 100,000 in October 2004 and 200,000 a year later. Overseas shipments reached 300,000 in October 2006 and 400,000 in August last year.
Hyundai Motor India now exports to 90 countries in Europe, Latin America, Africa, the Middle East and neighboring countries in the subcontinent.
Hyundai opened a new plant in early February at its manufacturing site in the southern Indian town of Sriperumbudur, doubling its production capacity to 60,000 units. It is targeting production of 530,000 units this year.
Copyright Agence France-Presse, 2008
