Korean auto giant Hyundai has unveiled a brand new and sporty model of its most successful car, Accent, at the Geneva Motor Show aimed at increasing its marketshare in major world markets.
Speaking at the launch of the new vehicle in Geneva, Hyundai's executive vice president of export management division Lee Bong-Guo said the new car has been initially aimed at the European market.
Lee, who served three years at Hyundai Motor India, however, did not rule out the possibility of the new car reaching the Indian market in near future considering that the Accent is already an established brand in India.
The three-door Accent, which is the sixth generation in its class, would be selling in the European market from April.
Although Accent's major markets have traditionally been Korea and the United States, Hyundai is convinced that the sophisticated international styling influences and advanced engineering of the new Accent would also increase desirability in other markets, Lee said.
Another senior executive of Hyundai, on conditions of anonymity, said on the sidelines of the motor show that with this new car the company wants to make its presence felt in the lucrative C-segment.
The new Accent has been positioned between generally accepted B-class and larger C-class but given the space creating skills of Hyundai's engineer, both design and the amount of room in the interior is closer to C than B class, the company said in a statement.
The car would be available in two petrol variants and a diesel variant.
Hyundai also unveiled a new version of its highly successful SUV, Santa FE, at the show to cater to the upper end of the large European SUV market.
The existing Accent model as well as Getz, which was launched in India in 2005, were also on display at the Geneva Motor Show.
