Himalayan News Service

Kathmandu, March 31

Hyundai is all set to launch Elantra on April 14 or 15, in petrol and diesel variants, says a press statement issued by AVCO International Pvt Ltd.The 1.8 litre petrol vehicle will be powered by a double overhead camshaft (DOHC) engine, a press release from the company said.There will be more variants in these two models. Hyundai Motor India president, B V R Subbu, while refusing to comment on the Elantra launch date, said it will be out in the first quarter of FY 2004-05. Trade sources said dealers expect the dispatch of the car to begin in a couple of days. The car is expected to fill the gap between the Accent and the premium luxury car, Sonata. It will be assembled at the Hyundai plant outside Chennai, with a possible localisation level of 35 to 40 per cent. The sales target for Elantra will be around 6,000 to 8,000 units a year.

Elantra has been a bestseller in Korea, where it is manufactured, and also accounts for one of the highest Hyundai car exports. Sales of the Elantra in the US, where it is priced marginally lower than Corolla, has grown sharply last year.