Hyundai plans to start rolling out BS6 compliant vehicles by early next year

Udaipur: South Korean auto major Hyundai plans to start rolling out upgraded BS6 compliant models, including diesel trims, on a regular basis by early next year, a top company official said.

The company, which is present in the country through a wholly-owned subsidiary, also plans to simultaneously keep selling BS4 vehicles till end of March next year in order to offer lower priced units to prospective customers.

"I estimate that by the end of this year or early next year, the introduction of BS6 vehicles will happen," Hyundai Motor India MD and CEO SS Kim said in an interview.

In terms of technology, the company is ready with most of the work from research and development perspective, he added.

Kim, however, clarified that the ramp up of BS6 models is going to happen in a gradual manner.

Hyundai currently has just one product, the recently launched Grand i10 Nios, that is BS6 compliant. The model's petrol trim is BS6 compliant while the diesel variants are still conform to BS4 regulations.

In comparison, Maruti Suzuki has seven petrol models that are now BS6 emission norms compliant.

When asked if the company's entire current product portfolio would see an upgrade to BS6 levels, Kim said, "As per our plan, all products, including diesel variants, will be upgraded to BS6 level."

He said the company will continue the production and sales of BS4 vehicles until the end of next year.

"With BS6, the prices of cars is expected to go up so if the customer wants to buy some economical product, it is our responsibility to provide and supply that," he added.