High Demand for Hyundai Exter in Vietnam, Customers Face 9-Month Wait for Delivery

The Hyundai Exter 2024 is a brand new small SUV model that was launched in India in July of this year. Since its introduction, the Exter has quickly garnered the interest of customers in this South Asian country. Local media reports indicate that the Exter has received an impressive 75,000 pre-orders, surpassing the manufacturer’s expectations. As a result, Hyundai has had to increase production by 30% to meet the demand and ensure timely delivery to customers. Specifically, the company initially planned to produce 6,000 Exter cars per month at its Chennai plant, but this has been increased to 8,000 cars per month. Additionally, Hyundai has adjusted its export strategy to prioritize the Indian market.

The high number of orders has led to an extended delivery time of 6 months for most versions of the Hyundai Exter. Customers who ordered the special edition have had to wait even longer, with a delivery time of up to 9 months. Notably, the majority of Indian customers opt for the highest-end version of the Exter.

The Hyundai Exter is positioned in the A-segment SUV segment and boasts dimensions of 3,815 x 1,710 x 1,631 mm (length x width x height) and a wheelbase of 2,450 mm.

The Hyundai Exter features the Sensuous Sportiness design language, with a front grille that stands out with its square shape and unique H-shaped LED daytime running lights. From the side, the Exter resembles the Mufasa. The taillights at the rear also sport an H-shaped graphic similar to the headlights.

The interior space of the Hyundai Exter closely resembles its “big brother” Grand i10, with a circular steering wheel featuring 3 spokes, an integrated 4.2-inch LCD screen, and an 8-inch infotainment screen equipped with Apple CarPlay / Android Auto connectivity.

Despite being in the affordable car segment, the Hyundai Exter is equipped with various modern safety features. These include 6 airbags, a hill-start assist system, ABS anti-lock braking system, electronic brake force distribution (EBD), rear parking sensors, reverse camera, 3-point seat belts, seat belt reminders in all positions, and Isofix child seat anchors.

In India, the Hyundai Exter 2024 is available with two engine options. The first is a naturally aspirated 1.2L 4-cylinder petrol engine borrowed from the Grand i10, capable of producing a maximum power of 83 horsepower and a maximum torque of 114 Nm. This engine is paired with either a 5-speed manual transmission or an AMT automatic transmission. The second option is a CNG-powered engine with a maximum power of 69 horsepower and a maximum torque of 95.2 Nm, also paired with a 5-speed manual transmission.

According to reliable sources, Hyundai is also planning to introduce the Exter to the Vietnamese market. This speculation is further supported by the fact that some dealers have already started accepting deposits for this model, with a promised delivery by the end of this year. While Hyundai’s product range in Vietnam is already diverse, covering multiple segments, it still lacks an affordable and compact crossover to compete with the likes of the VinFast VF 5, Kia Sonet, and Toyota Raize. If launched in Vietnam, the Hyundai Exter is expected to be priced in the range of 500 – 600 million VND.

Thái Son (Tuoitrethudo)