Lee Min-hyung joined The Korea Times in 2014 and has worked as a journalist mainly in Korea’s finance, tech and automotive industry. He specializes in content creation, breaking news and in-depth analysis currently on transportation and mobility. You can reach him via mhlee@koreatimes.co.kr.
Hyundai to become more localized brand after IPO in India: top salesperson
The Triumph Hyundai Gurgaon dealership in India / Courtesy of Hyundai Motor
By Lee Min-hyung
Abhishek Gupta, owner of Triumph Hyundai Gurgaon, speaks during an interview at his dealership in Gurugram, India, Wednesday. Courtesy of Hyundai Motor
GURUGRAM, India – Abhishek Gupta, one of the top car salesmen in India, expects Hyundai Motor’s latest stock listing here will enhance its corporate identity as a more localized carmaker and present a more approachable image to customers.
“Hyundai Motor will be able to draw more favorable responses from Indian customers after the initial public offering (IPO) here,” he said during an interview at his dealership, Wednesday. Gupta is the owner of Triumph Hyundai Gurgaon.
The listing itself gives the impression that the company is invested in the Indian market, which is likely to boost its overall sales, according to the salesman.
Gupta's annual sales have reached new highs each year due to his strong interaction with customers. He sold 1,745 vehicles in 2020, and that figure nearly doubled to over 3,400 in 2022. He continued his winning streak in 2023 with sales of 3,680 cars.
He shared some key preferences of Indian customers when they purchase vehicles.
“They prioritize price competitiveness when choosing a car,” Gupta said. “Design and features come next on the list,” he added.
Hyundai Motor has also established a sales strategy that focuses on small, affordable vehicles to meet the demands of local customers.
The salesman noted that a reverse view camera is one of the most sought-after features among Indian consumers.
“India’s major cities struggle with vehicle congestion and weak parking infrastructure, so the parking option attracts favorable responses from customers,” he said.
He praised Hyundai Motor's well-rounded vehicle quality as another significant advantage. According to Gupta, Hyundai vehicles lack clear downsides and consistently maintain decent quality across various categories, including those mentioned earlier. Additionally, he highlighted that Hyundai's infotainment systems offer notable advantages compared to those of its competitors, he said.
When asked how he has been able to achieve such noteworthy sales growth, Gupta said his team at the dealership have helped him attain the robust sales figure.
“My team members and I are very kind to our customers,” he said. “This was the key driving force behind my solid sales performance. Our team also helps customers to receive after-sales services, such as vehicle repair.”