Hyundai Santro gets benefits up to Rs 70,000

Hyundai dealers are offering the Santro with additional benefits during the end of September 2019. Hyundai’s budget hatchback is now available with benefits of up to Rs 70,000, along with free extended warranty cover for the fourth year and roadside assistance.

The increase in discounts seems to be a bid by Hyundai to push sales of its small hatchback in the face of newer players in the market, and mid-cycle updates for models such as the Tata Tiago set to arrive in the coming months. Hyundai offers the Santro with a 3-year/1 lakh kilometre warranty, along with a 3-year roadside assistance package, as standard.

The sales slowdown across the car industry has also affected sales of Hyundai’s budget hatchback. The Santro has also faced stiff competition in the segment, particularly from the new Maruti Suzuki Wagon R which, despite the slowdown, has quickly risen to become one of the bestselling cars in the country. From April to August 2019, sales of the Santro amounted to about 24,500 units, while Maruti sold over 62,000 units of the new Wagon R during the same period.

Another factor for the heavy discounts on offer with the Santro could be the benefits being offered on the Grand i10 – customers can avail substantial discounts of up to Rs 1 lakh. The massive discount puts the more premium hatchback’s final pricing closer to the Santro’s, thus providing buyers with a more upmarket alternative for not too much more money.

Launched in October last year, the Santro marked the revival of the name that built the Hyundai brand in the country. Positioned against the likes of the Maruti Wagon R, Tata Tiago and Datsun Go, the Hyundai Santro is offered with a single 1.1-litre petrol motor making 69hp on petrol and 59hp on CNG. Gearbox options include a 5-speed manual as standard, and the option of a 5-speed AMT gearbox.