Aside from Accent, Hyundai PH to also bring back Grand i10?
Hyundai Motor PH is apparently looking to rejoin the hatchback segment
A couple of weeks ago, we received insider info that Hyundai Motor Philippines Inc. (HMPH) is apparently looking to bring back the Accent sedan.
With the vehicle now being manufactured and sold in Vietnam, HMPH may be planning to take advantage of the ASEAN Free Trade to price the Accent competitively. Combined with the fact that Vietnam is a left-hand drive market, the automaker can easily ship the vehicle to the Philippines.
Fast forward to the present day, we have received yet new information about another vehicle that will supposedly make a comeback in the Philippines. According to our anonymous sources, the Grand i10 might also return to the Philippine market. That's right, the brand's budget five-door hatchback is being considered by HMPH.
But isn't HMPH currently focused on the crossover and MPV segments? Well, our insider recently shared with us that the automaker wants to introduce more budget-friendly models to attract customers. While they already have the Creta as their entry-level model, the B-SUV now starts at PHP 1.048 million which doesn't exactly make it affordable.
Based on the data gathered from the Philippine Auto Sales for 2023, the top five automakers in the country are Toyota, Mitsubishi, Ford, Nissan, and Suzuki. Brands like Toyota, Mitsubishi, and Suzuki have sub-PHP 1 million offerings that attract fleet sales and those looking for a budget vehicle. Meanwhile, Ford, Nissan as well as Mitsubishi have pickup trucks that continue to be popular with customers.
Hyundai Motor Philippines Inc. currently lacks both a sub-PHP 1 million vehicle and a pickup truck. While we won't get to see the Santa Cruz make its way here any time soon, Hyundai needs something more affordable than the Creta. This is where the Accent and (possibly) the i10 could work in Hyundai's favor.
Should the company bring back the Grand i10, the budget hatchback will likely get a 1.2-liter Kappa II four-cylinder engine that makes 83 PS and 114 Nm of torque. Power is then shifted via a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic gearbox. Size-wise, the Grand i10 measures 3815mm long, 1680mm wide, 1520mm tall, and has a 2450mm wheelbase.
Despite being a budget-friendly vehicle, the Grand i10 is available with an 8-inch touchscreen complete with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in Vietnam. Other features like a push-button start, rear aircon vents, USB charging ports, 60:40 split-rear seats, and a multi-info display are also available on the Hyundai Grand i10.
There's no official word yet from HMPH regarding the supposed return of the Grand i10. But since the company appears to be looking into bringing back not just the Accent but also the Grand i10, it seems Hyundai wants to increase its sales figures by introducing more budget-friendly alternatives.
Will these be enough to drive up sales for Hyundai in the Philippines? Watch this space.
