Hyundai Motor Company expects SUVs to account for 80% of its India sales by 2030, up from around 70% currently, as it expands its portfolio across compact, midsize and three-row utility vehicle segments.
“SUVs are 70% of what we sell there today, on the way to 80% by 2030,” José Muñoz, president and CEO of Hyundai Motor Company, said during the India section of the company’s 2026 CEO Investor Day.
The target implies that four out of every five Hyundai vehicles sold in India by the end of the decade will be an SUV, increasing the company’s dependence on the category for growth.
Hyundai to Revive Grand i10 Nios and Aura Under Ai4 Project
Hyundai, however, is not giving up on hatchbacks and compact sedans. Autocar Professional understands that the company is working on new generations of the Grand i10 Nios and Aura under a project internally called Ai4, with launches scheduled for 2028.
The project is also expected to spawn the next generation of the Exter in the following years, allowing Hyundai to renew its presence across the hatchback, compact sedan and entry SUV segments.
Creta Continues to Lead Hyundai's SUV Strategy in India
The Creta will remain central to the SUV strategy. Hyundai highlighted the midsize SUV’s decade-long leadership in India while outlining its plans for the market.
“The Creta has been the best-selling midsize SUV in that market for 10 consecutive years,” Muñoz said.
Hyundai Plans 26 New Product Launches by FY2030
Hyundai plans 26 product introductions in India by FY2030, covering new models, full-model changes, derivatives and product enhancements. The programme is expected to expand its presence in SUV sub-segments where it does not currently compete while renewing its existing portfolio.
New Three-Row SUV Ni1i and Next-Gen Creta SX3 in the Pipeline
Autocar Professional had exclusively reported that Hyundai is developing a new three-row SUV internally codenamed Ni1i. Positioned above the Alcazar, it will compete with models such as the Mahindra XUV700 and Tata Safari and is expected to lead Hyundai’s entry into the hybrid vehicle market in India.
The Ni1i will be followed by the third-generation Creta, internally codenamed SX3, which is being developed with petrol, diesel and petrol-hybrid powertrain options.
Hyundai's SUV Push to Extend to Compact Electric SUVs
Hyundai’s SUV expansion will also extend to electric vehicles. The company has confirmed a new compact electric SUV designed and localised for India as part of its immediate product programme.
Included among Hyundai’s global launches planned over the next eight months, the model will give the company a locally developed offering below the Creta Electric in a higher-volume part of India’s EV market.
Hyundai currently participates across the SUV market through the Exter, Venue, Creta, Alcazar and Tucson. The new products will help it fill gaps within and above this portfolio while adding hybrid and electric powertrains.
The strategy, therefore, combines a larger contribution from SUVs with continued investment in hatchbacks and compact sedans. The upcoming compact electric SUV, Ni1i and next-generation Creta will support the move towards an 80% SUV mix, while the Ai4 project will renew Hyundai’s presence in smaller car segments.