Hyundai considering to build a small 7-seater MPV; to take on Xpander and Mobilio

KUALA LUMPUR: Have you checked out the Hyundai global lineup? Well, if noticed carefully, the range misses out on a particular segment, i.e., a seven-seater MPV. In the Southeast Asia market, this particular vehicle class is churning out a lot of numbers for the automakers.

As per Punnet Anand, Hyundai India Senior General Manager and Group Head, the automaker in the near future is strongly considering to build a compact 3-row MPV. Further seeing how Mitsubishi, Toyota, Honda, and Suzuki are benefiting from the MPV segment, a Hyundai 7-seat MPV should make the market scenario a tad more challenging.

The big question, however, is the automaker seriously considering to build an MPV? Well, recently the South Korean automaker confirmed that it'd be opening a new manufacturing facility in Indonesia. This bit of information is essential as not only Indonesia is a big consumer of MPVs, but some popular ones are also built here like the Avanza, Xpander, and Ertiga. Well, nothing can be said for sure, but a new production line is good for the automaker.

Interestingly it is not the first time that Hyundai has thought of building a multi-purpose vehicle. Back in 2012, Hyundai introduced an MPV concept, but soon the project was axed for a reason still to be disclosed. The concept was called Hexa Space and had a formula similar to the modern-day small MPV - 4.4 meters long with comfortable accommodation for seven individuals. So, when revealed seven years ago, the Hexa Space concept was way ahead of its time.

Overall, if Hyundai wants to have a piece of the MPV success its rivals are enjoying then the automaker has a lot to work on, that is when it is seriously pushing the idea.

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