Hyundai Unveils Short-Term Product Plan

South Korean carmaker will revive its British product lineup through the addition of several new models in the next few years and plans to increase sales with the help of cash incentives offered by governments across Europe.

“Scrappage has been a massive help in helping people recognize the Hyundai brand,” UK managing director Tony Whitehorn was quoted as saying by autocar.co.uk. “But, quite rightly, it does have to end at some point and we’re focused on maintaining our sales going into 2010 and beyond.”

The first in a series of new models will be the ix35 and the facelifted Santa Fe. Next year, the company will introduce two MPV models, a five-seater and a seven-seater. The first one will be based on the Kia Venga while the seven-seat flavor is likely to rely on the i-mode concept car showcased at the Geneva Auto Show in 2008, the source added.

The so-called i40, also known as Sonata's replacement, is projected to go on sale in 2011, with Bologna Motor Show likely to host the first public appearance of the car. The new i10 will be unveiled in 2010, with Hyundai considering several new engines for the upgraded lineup.

The new flagship model of the company, the Veloster, will be introduced in 2011 and will take the place of the Coupe in the company's lineup. A production version of the ix-metro concept is slated to arrive in 2012.

Curiously, the company won't introduce an i30 facelift but, according to the source, Hyundai wants to replace the car earlier, possible in 2011.