*As the SUV market in Pakistan continues to grow, more competitivemanufacturers like Hyundai are stepping up their production game.*
With several foreign SUVs making their way into the Pakistani auto market,the SUV segment has abruptly emerged to be a popular one among local carbuyers. That is why Hyundai will be locally manufacturing Santa Fe tobetter contend in the local market.
According to local media reports, the Korean automaker Hyundai is planningto commence the local assembly of the Santa Fe. The vehicle is already onsale in Pakistan as a CBU in only one trim-level, i.e. the GLS.
The Santa Fe is a mid-size 7-seating crossover SUV. The variant currentlyavailable in Pakistan has a 2.4-liter, naturally aspirated 4-cylinderpetrol engine that makes 170 hp and 225 Nm of torque. All this power issent to all four wheels via a 6-speed automatic gearbox.
The car contends in the market with KIA’s Sorento and Toyota’s Fortuner. Amonth ago Hyundai Nishat reduced the price of the Santa Fe from Rs. 18.5million to Rs. 13.5 million. Despite the five million rupees price cut,Toyota’s Fortuner is still a few million rupees cheaper.
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By switching to local manufacturing, Hyundai will not only be able tofurther reduce the price of Santa Fe, but it will also be able to offermore of its variants in Pakistan at a much lower price. This willdefinitely give it an edge over KIA and Toyota.
Although details of when the assembly line will be set up are not known, itis speculated that the launch will take place before the end of 2022.
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