Hyundai Motor India has expanded its export lineup with the first shipment of the made-in-Chennai Exter compact SUV to South Africa. The initial batch included 996 units, making the Exter the eighth model exported to the region, following vehicles like the Grand i10 Nios, Aura, i10, i20 N Line, Venue, Venue N Line, and Alcazar.
Jae Wan Ryu, Function Head of Corporate Planning at Hyundai Motor India, emphasized South Africa’s significance as a key export market, noting that most models built at the company’s Tamil Nadu factory are shipped there. He added, “2024 marks 20 years of exporting to South Africa, and our ‘Made in India, Made for the World’ philosophy reflects our commitment to delivering world-class products. We are confident the Exter will be well received in South Africa.”
Since its July 2023 launch, the Exter has achieved over 100,000 sales in India, marking Hyundai’s second compact SUV success after the Venue in the competitive segment. The company has also introduced the Hy-CNG (Dual Cylinder CNG) and Knight Edition variants earlier this year.
From April to August 2024, Hyundai Motor India exported 71,800 passenger vehicles, an increase of 4.5% compared to the same period in 2023. This includes 13,513 units of SUVs and utility vehicles, a slight year-on-year increase. In FY2024, Hyundai exported 163,155 passenger vehicles, a 7% growth year-on-year, maintaining its No. 2 spot among India’s top car exporters.
With additional production capacity from its acquisition of GM India’s Talegaon plant, Hyundai is well-positioned to increase exports further. Its top exports in FY2024 include the i10, i20 hatchbacks, Verna sedan, and SUVs like the Venue, Exter, Alcazar, and Creta.
