Hyundai evaluating stand-alone dealerships for upcoming new Sonata and Elantra

Hyundai Motor India Pvt Ltd is evaluating the possibility of selling its new sedan range, which will include the new Sonata, due in April and later the Elantra, from stand-alone dealerships. These dealerships would be separate from the "regular" Hyundai sales points, which retail the rest of the Korean car-makers product range.

autojunction.in understands that Hyundai is trying to establish a distinct competetive edge by doing so, by offering customers of its premium range of vehicles a special sales experience, including concierge service, for all vehicle service-related issues including a pick-up and drop facility, 24-hour roadside assistance, and alternative vehicle whenever any customer car requires service or repair.

The new Sonata, which should go on sale by April this year, will be available with a 2.4-litre direct-injection petrol engine, and will have both automatic and manual gearbox variants. The Hyundai Sonata diesel is likely to follow sometime in 2013.

The new Hyundai Elantra will come to India towards the end of 2012, and will have both petrol and diesel engine options. The petrol engine is a 1.8-litre powerplant, whereas the Elantra will share the 1.6-litre diesel engine from the Verna, albeit in a different state of tune with more power and torque.

Stand-alone dealerships aren't a new concept, and in India the best example is Bajaj's Probiking dealers, which only retail the bike-maker's premium offerings. Hyundai is trying to establish a similar sales and marketing model for its products, as the brand drives further upmarket.