Hyundai MPV plans postponed, company to focus on HND-14 concept based compact SUV

Hyundai has reportedly put its Hexa Space MPV project on hold, and is now concentrating on the HND-14 concept based compact SUV. The move comes in the wake of the current lukewarm market situation for MPVs, reports AutocarIndia.

Hyundai, which had showcased its Hexa Space concept way back in 2012 and was concentrating on its development for the next two years, will now hasten the compact SUV project based on the HND-14 concept that it unveiled at Auto Expo 2016. The sub-four metre SUV will be positioned below Creta. It will be pitted against Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza, Ford EcoSport and the soon-to-be-launched Tata Nexon.

That the current market situation is not favourable for MPV has also been reported by AutocarIndia. Popular MPVs such as Honda Mobilio and Renault Lodgy are struggling with poor sales while market leader Maruti Suzuki Ertiga's sales have also come down. On the other hand, compact SUVs have been in the news for positive reasons. Hyundai Creta racked up over 1 lakh bookings in the last eight months. Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza, launched this month, has also garnered favourable reviews.

Hyundai compact SUV, which shares the platform of Hyundai Elite i20, was showcased in the concept with swept-back headlamps and new front grille, which is in line with the new Fluidic 2.0 design theme. The car was earlier scheduled to make its debut in 2019.