Hyundai's Major Comeback Plan: 26 New Models by 2030
The South Korean automotive giant Hyundai Motor India Limited for decades was the second-largest automaker in India. However, in the last few years, it has slipped from its fixed spot. Recently, it has been overtaken by Tata Motors, which has become the second best-selling car brand. Now, what's surprising is that Hyundai has not been able to hold on to the third position because that has been taken by Mahindra. Today, we will explain to you how Hyundai has planned to address this issue and what its major comeback plan is.
As per the FY26 Q4 financial data, the company saw a sharp decline of 22 percent in net profit. It has now dropped to Rs 1,256 crore. In comparison to this figure, the net profit in the same quarter last financial year was Rs 1,614 crore. The company's EBITDA has also declined by 22 percent. In Q4 FY26, it was Rs 1,966 crore. Meanwhile, in the previous year, it was Rs 2,532 crore.
What's more astonishing is that Hyundai’s revenue from operations rose 5.4 percent on a YoY basis to Rs 18,916 crore. However, despite the increase, its profit has dropped because of higher competitive pressure, aggressive discounting and pricing, and rising costs.
The financial year 2025 was also not very strong for Hyundai. Even though it was the second best-selling automaker in the country with total sales of 7,62,052 units, its sales had declined by 2.03 percent. Its domestic sales also dropped by 2.6 percent to 5,98,666 units. As for the revenue in FY25, it declined marginally to Rs 69,129 crore and its PAT fell 6.9 percent to Rs 5,640 crore. This highlights that the company has now been struggling for two consecutive years.
What's even more shocking is that Tata Motors, which a few years ago was at the fourth spot in terms of total sales in India, has managed to take the second spot from Hyundai. Tata Motors has achieved this by offering a strong SUV lineup, aggressive EV strategy, a high safety image, and value-for-money positioning.
Tata Motors has also managed to dominate the EV market, which has hurt Hyundai a lot. Tata sold 8,507 EVs in April 2026, and Hyundai still does not have a mass-market EV that can compete with Tata EVs in the affordable segment. (It has the Creta Electric, but it is not a high seller.)
Apart from Tata Motors, Mahindra Automotive has also pushed Hyundai down and because of this, Hyundai is now stuck in the fourth position. As for the reasons behind Mahindra’s success, they are its strong SUV focus, premium positioning, rugged image amongst buyers, and strong ICE and EV products.
According to many people, Hyundai’s current lineup has started to feel old in many segments. Its rivals are launching newer and more exciting products faster. Also, its weak EV presence is causing it to lose a major chunk of market share. Hyundai was one of the first carmakers to launch an electric car (Kona EV). However, Tata, which came later, has managed to completely dominate the affordable EV segment.
Mahindra is now becoming very strong in the EV department, thanks to its born-electric INGLO platform-based BE 6, XEV 9S, and XEV 9E. Hyundai also does not offer any strong hybrid products like its rivals Toyota and Maruti. Lastly, Hyundai is not seen as a carmaker that makes very safe cars, as Tata and Mahindra have successfully managed to market their build quality and safety.
It has been reported that Hyundai, in order to address the issue of having an old lineup, is planning to launch 26 new models and facelifts by 2030. The company has announced that it will include ICE models, EVs, hybrids, and facelifts. Hyundai is also expanding its Pune facility, with an additional 70,000 units of capacity planned after Phase II.
Presently, there are five major launches which have been confirmed from Hyundai. Here are the details of these upcoming cars from Hyundai.
One of the most important upcoming products from Hyundai will be the new BC4i compact SUV. This SUV will be based on the Hyundai Bayon platform and will sit below the Creta in the brand’s lineup. It is expected to measure around 4.18-4.2 metres. Hyundai is expected to offer this SUV with a boxy and rugged design with split LED headlamps, thick body cladding, roof rails, new alloy wheels, and connected LED tail lamps.
On the inside, the BC4i is expected to come loaded with premium features like a large touchscreen infotainment system, connected car technology, ADAS features, front parking sensors, and a 360-degree camera. As for the powertrain options, this SUV is expected to debut Hyundai’s new 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol engine.
This engine is being developed specifically for India. This hybrid-ready engine will sit between Hyundai’s existing 1.0-litre turbo and 1.5-litre turbo petrol motors. Transmission choices will include a 7-speed DCT and an e-CVT gearbox. Hyundai may also offer naturally aspirated petrol and dual-cylinder CNG options later on. Pricing will be in the range of Rs 10 to 15 lakh.
Another very important product from Hyundai, which it is preparing to launch in India, will be its brand-new electric SUV. It has been internally codenamed HE1i. As per the reports, the ‘E’ in the name stands for EV. Meanwhile, the ‘i’ indicates that it has been developed specifically for the Indian market.
This SUV will become Hyundai’s most affordable EV in India and it will sit below the Creta EV. Once launched, it will rival the Tata Nexon.ev, Mahindra XUV400, and MG Windsor EV. In terms of design, the HE1i will feature tall-boy proportions with a boxy silhouette, smooth body panels, and a long wheelbase.
Hyundai is expected to heavily localise this EV in order to keep its pricing competitive in the Indian market. It has been reported that it will be based on Hyundai’s E-GMP (K) platform and will feature locally sourced LFP battery packs. It could get two battery options, including a 42 kWh pack with an electric motor producing 97 bhp and a larger 49 kWh pack producing 115 bhp.
Both battery pack variants are expected to offer over 300 km of range on a single full charge. Hyundai is also expected to offer ADAS, connected car technology, a 360-degree camera, and a premium interior with this EV. As for the pricing, it is expected to be around Rs 12 to 18 lakh.
Hyundai has already commenced the development of the next-generation Hyundai Creta, and it will be one of the most important launches from the company. The upcoming model will be based on Hyundai’s new K3 platform. Its spy shots have already revealed that the SUV will offer bigger dimensions, a more muscular SUV stance, new LED lighting elements, a redesigned grille, larger alloy wheels, and even a multi-link rear suspension setup.
The new Creta is also expected to offer an AWD system. On the inside, the new Creta is expected to get a massive 14.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Hyundai’s new Pleos Connect software. It will also feature a Software Defined Vehicle architecture, Gleo AI assistant, OTA updates, shift-by-wire gear selector, premium materials, and ventilated seats.
As for its other features, it will get a panoramic sunroof, ADAS Level 2, dual-zone climate control, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and a 360-degree camera. Coming to the main highlight, the next-generation Creta is likely to get a strong hybrid powertrain based on the 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine. Hyundai, with the new Creta Hybrid, will directly challenge the Maruti Grand Vitara and Toyota Hyryder hybrids.
Hyundai is also gearing up for a major update for its popular premium hatchback, the i20, in India. The next-generation model is expected to get a refreshed exterior design with a new front fascia, redesigned rear section, and new alloy wheels. The interior of the new i20 has already been spied testing. It has been noted that the hatchback will be borrowing a number of elements from the new Venue.
It will get a curved display setup, a new steering wheel, and a redesigned centre console. Hyundai will most likely continue to offer its naturally aspirated petrol and turbo petrol engine options with both manual and automatic gearboxes. With this update, Hyundai wants to keep the i20 fresh against rivals like the Tata Altroz, Maruti Baleno, and Toyota Glanza.
Apart from compact SUVs and electric cars, Hyundai is also working on the development of a brand-new premium three-row SUV. Internally, it has been codenamed the Ni1i, and this SUV will sit above the Alcazar in Hyundai’s lineup. It is expected to become the replacement for the Tucson, but with a 7-seater configuration. Once launched, it will directly rival the Mahindra XUV 7XO and Tata Safari.
The Ni1i is expected to become Hyundai’s flagship SUV for India and will most likely come equipped with a strong hybrid powertrain. Hyundai is currently developing a new 1.5-litre strong hybrid petrol engine, and this SUV could come equipped with it. In terms of features, buyers can expect premium interiors, ADAS, a panoramic sunroof, connected car technology, captain seats, and a large infotainment display. Its pricing is expected to be in the range of Rs 20 to 30 lakh.