Hyundai Motor hopes to tap India's IT capabilities

Hyundai Motor Co. chairman Chung Mong-koo urged company officials to tap India's IT infrastructure and professionals to strengthen its position in the Asian country and Europe.

"Hyundai's R&D center in India needs to form the basis for maximizing the synergy effect between Hyundai's quality and India's IT infrastructure and workforce," Hyundai Kia Automotive Group chairman Chung Mong-koo said during a visit to the facility on Tuesday.

He added that the R&D center should work closely together with Hyundai Motor India, located 800 kilometers to the southeast, not only to raise sales in India but also to increase exports to European markets.

Located in the Hitech-city in the Ranga Reddy in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, the $25 million research and development center was completed in April.

The center, which is tasked to develop strategic vehicles for both India and other overseas markets, is currently staffed by about 300 research personnel, but the company plans to increase the center's workforce next year.

Concerning Hyundai Motor India's operations, Chung said that as carmakers are gradually increasing marketing expenditure, increasing sales volume is vital to survival and that the Indian operations need to use its facilities to power creative marketing strategies tailored for the different characteristics of various markets.