Hyundai India to add hybrid to line-up

NEW DELHI: Hyundai Motor India Ltd will add a hybrid vehicle to its product lineup in addition to a broader plan to launch 26 models by 2030, joining Japanese rivals in betting on hybrid technology to navigate India's fragmented transition to cleaner mobility.

The move puts Hyundai India in step with the local units of Toyota Motor Corp. and Suzuki Motor Corp., who have championed hybrids as an alternative to electric vehicles in a market constrained by patchy charging infrastructure and price sensitivity.

The South Korean automaker will roll out six battery-electric models and 20 internal combustion engine vehicles - some new and some upgrades - alongside the hybrid, the company said.

The portfolio refresh will target both mass and premium segments, including hybrid SUVs.

"In India, no single technology can work across all segments," Chief Operating Officer Tarun Garg said at a webcast media briefing.

A self-charging "hybrid is a clear opportunity for Hyundai."

Self-charging hybrid vehicles use both electric power and a combustion engine to run, resulting in better fuel efficiency.

The plan marks a deeper recalibration for Hyundai India in a market where EV adoption remains nascent and carmakers are split between which technology to bet on, as both customer adoption and government policy continue to shift.

EVs made up just 1% of Hyundai's India sales in the year ended March 2025.