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Rediff.com  » Business » Can the stylish Hyundai Grand i10 take on Maruti Swift?
This article was first published 10 years ago

Can the stylish Hyundai Grand i10 take on Maruti Swift?

May 27, 2014 12:37 IST


Photographs: Courtesy, Hyundai Devina Joshi

Grand i10 had to challenge Maruti’s Swift in the compact high segment and target young couples looking for stylish, feature-led spacious vehicle available at ‘good value’. 

Hyundai’s Grand i10 jostled with Maruti’s Swift, making space for itself in a sub-segment that is witnessing growth

Hyundai had a strong presence in the compact mid-segment with the i10 and the Santro, and in the compact high premium segment with the i20.

Can the stylish Hyundai Grand i10 take on Maruti Swift?


Photographs: Courtesy, Hyundai

Hyundai Grand i10 was conceptualised to fill the gap between the existing i10 and i20 models to attract buyers in the growing ‘compact high entry’ segment in India - a sub-segment that contributes up to 69 per cent of the overall compact high segment sales. Clearly, an area of opportunity.

Can the stylish Hyundai Grand i10 take on Maruti Swift?


Photographs: Courtesy, Hyundai

“The main creative challenge was to slice the target audience thinly, and arrive at a positioning that is youthful and aspirational yet doesn’t tread on the toes of other compact models,” says Vivek Srivastava, joint managing director, Innocean (the ad agency behind the brand).

Can the stylish Hyundai Grand i10 take on Maruti Swift?


Photographs: Courtesy, Hyundai

That apart, the Grand i10 had to challenge the hegemony of Maruti’s Swift in the compact high segment and target young adults/couples looking for stylish, feature-led spacious vehicle available at ‘good value’.

Can the stylish Hyundai Grand i10 take on Maruti Swift?


Photographs: Courtesy, Hyundai

The car, meant for personal commuting, city driving and highway getaways, was given a sporty, aerodynamic and trendy styling, along with features like a smart key with a push-button start, rear AC vents, auto-folding mirrors and so on.

Hyundai invested over Rs 1,000 crore (Rs 10 billion) on product development.

Can the stylish Hyundai Grand i10 take on Maruti Swift?


Photographs: Courtesy, Hyundai

The Grand i10 targeted an age group of 25-35 years, and so a youthful and energetic brand connection was essential.

“The positioning line implied that this brand is the new currency that expresses the lifestyle of affluent car buyers with an element of individuality,” says Rakesh Srivastava, senior VP, sales and marketing, Hyundai Motor India.

Can the stylish Hyundai Grand i10 take on Maruti Swift?


Photographs: Courtesy, Hyundai

In the first phase, preceding the national launch, a media preview was conducted in August 2013, to give a firsthand experience of the Hyundai BA (project code).

The first impression product reviews also generated conversation on Twitter and online automobile news portals. 

Can the stylish Hyundai Grand i10 take on Maruti Swift?


Photographs: Courtesy, Hyundai

During the second phase, a national media launch was organised on the September 3, 2013, followed by regional launches across India. 

Can the stylish Hyundai Grand i10 take on Maruti Swift?


Photographs: Courtesy, Hyundai

This was followed by nine weeks of extensive promotions: Hyundai Grand i10 invested heavily in TV, radio, print, outdoor and viral videos.

Can the stylish Hyundai Grand i10 take on Maruti Swift?


Photographs: Courtesy, Hyundai

The Grand i10 received over 10,000 bookings within 20 days of launch. Hyundai has recorded sales of over 82,400 units of the Grand i10 since its launch. 

WHERE IT STANDS

Launch budget:

  • Rs 22 crore
  • Sales till now: 82,400 units


WHAT WORKED

  • Youth-led marketing
  • High investment  in product development
  • Media hype 
Source: source