As part of its market penetration plan, the company is targeting a market share of above 25 per cent in the region in next "couple of months". HMIL's present market share is around 20 per cent.
In that regard, the company's main strategy would be to increase the number of dealers in the region in the coming days. Presently it has 16 dealers in the region.
HS Lheem, managing director of HMIL, said that the plans of the company in North-East are "very aggressive". Lheem was in the city to inaugurate the new office.
"We have an ambitious plan in North-East. We target to increase our market share from present 20 per cent to above 25 per cent in couple of months," Lheem said.
HMIL, said Lheem, also further wants to expand its cooperation in education sector as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) obligations. The company had last year renovated the automobile section of Guwahati Industrial Training Institute (ITI) and presently extending cooperation in training students. He said HMIL is "looking to add more education institutions" under its present venture.
When asked why does not HMIL set up a manufacturing unit in the region, despite the region enjoying tax benefits under the centre sponsored industrial policy, Lheem said that's due to non-availability of component supplier in Assam and North-East.
He also could not spell out any investment plan of the company in the region in near future, baring its CSR activities. "Unfortunately in that regard (investing in North-East) we don't have any plan for now," Lheem said.
The new branch office in Guwahati will cater to all seven states of the region and would support all Hyundai dealers as well as sales and service centres. The new office would help the company to put more emphasis on after-sales service in the region.
The office will be headed by a regional sales manager and a regional parts and service manager. The company presently has two area sales managers and one area service and parts manager serving the region.
Lheem said the opening of the branch office is an indication of the growing importance of the region vis-a-vis HMIL.
