- Hyundai Motor India has booked 80,000 units of the new Venue, boosting production at Pune plant
- The company targets 1,20,000-1,40,000 Venue units annually, focusing on quality and supply ramp-up
- Venue exports grew 18%, with demand rising in Middle East, Africa, Latin America, and new markets
Hyundai Motor India is accelerating production of the all-new Venue after clocking around 80,000 bookings, nearly 10% of its annual manufacturing capacity, as demand for compact SUVs remains strong post-GST rate cuts. Speaking to NDTV profit, Tarun Garg, CEO and MD of Hyundai Motor India, said the response has exceeded expectations, with January marking the highest-ever monthly sales for the Venue.
"We are very overwhelmed by the response. Our Pune plant quickly ramped up to two shifts, which helped us supply strong volumes in January," Garg said, adding that bookings continue to come in steadily.
Pune Plant Ramps Up
Hyundai is currently targeting 1,20,000-1,40,000 units of the new Venue annually, all produced at its Pune facility. Garg said the company is exploring every opportunity to further raise output, while ensuring quality standards are not compromised.
"Last month itself we sold over 12,000 units. Production will ramp up gradually and responsibly, with the highest focus on quality," he said, indicating that waiting periods should ease progressively over the next few months as supply improves.
The increased output will also support Hyundai's export plans, with the Venue being produced exclusively in India for several overseas markets.
Exports Gather Pace
Exports have emerged as a key growth driver for Hyundai. The company has already recorded around 18% growth in exports, significantly ahead of its initial 7% guidance for the year. In the first 10 months of FY26, Hyundai has shipped close to 1.6 lakh units overseas.
Demand remains strong across regions such as the Middle East, Africa and Latin America, with new markets like Chile opening up for India-made models. Garg reiterated Hyundai's long-term plan to raise export contribution to 30% over the next five years, from the current 23-24%.
First-Time Buyers Power Venue Demand
Hyundai is also seeing strong traction from first-time car buyers, particularly in the compact SUV segment. Garg said first-time buyers accounted for over 43% historically, while early trends for the new Venue suggest the share could rise to 47-48%.
"GST cuts have helped bring more first-time buyers into the four-wheeler market, and Hyundai has always been strong with aspirational, youth-focused products," he said.
Creta Holds Fort
On competition in the mid-size SUV space, Garg said Hyundai Creta continues to dominate, despite newer launches from rivals. Creta sold over 18,000 units in January, reinforcing its leadership.
"Creta has become a benchmark for the industry. With continuous updates, special editions and now the Creta EV, we believe it will continue to surprise the market," Garg said, adding that the combined strength of Venue and Creta remains central to Hyundai's SUV strategy.
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