Exports Give Us A Global Edge
The Dollar Business|November 2016

Hyundai Motor India Ltd. (HMIL) began exporting in 1999, when it shipped a batch of 20 cars to Nepal. Come today and the company is exporting over two million cars every year. In an exclusive interaction with The Dollar Business, Rakesh Srivastava, Sr. Vice President and Division Head (Sales & Marketing), HMIL, talks about the importance of the Indian automobile market in the global scheme of things.

Proyashi Barua
Exports Give Us A Global Edge

TDB: After you took charge as the Senior Vice President in 2012, what have been some of the major changes in Hyundai’s export and marketing strategies? What is your vision for exports by the company?

Rakesh Srivastava (RS): I think the biggest change has been in terms of sharpening our focus on select export destinations. We geared our manufacturing units to serve the markets in Middle East, Africa, Latin America and Asia. The compact range of sedans and SUVs were the main offerings and we pioneered a range of sophistications from the engineering and design perspective. Europe and the rest of the Americas were no longer priority export regions for Hyundai India.

The second change was that we also strengthened our domestic product portfolio. There was a pronounced emphasis on premium designs and features to enhance the aspirational quotient of our products in India. Although we are India’s biggest exporter of passenger cars, we place a bigger importance on the domestic market. It is the domestic market that generates volumes and gives us economies of scale. The export vision is fairly simple – we want to gain a global edge through our exports.

TDB: You had an impressive sales growth of 15.1% y-o-y in FY2016. How has your sales been so far this year?

This story is from the November 2016 edition of The Dollar Business.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the November 2016 edition of The Dollar Business.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM THE DOLLAR BUSINESSView All
'Lowered Incentives Have Hurt Exports'
The Dollar Business

'Lowered Incentives Have Hurt Exports'

The decentralised powerloom sector is the backbone of India’s textile business. It not only contributes about 60% to India’s fabrics export, but also provides employment to over seven million people. The Dollar Business caught up with Purushottam K. Vanga, Chairman of Powerloom Development and Export Promotion Council (PDEXCIL), to understand what the Council is doing to boost exports from the sector.

time-read
5 mins  |
October 2017
“it's Time to Explore Untapped Markets”
The Dollar Business

“it's Time to Explore Untapped Markets”

Charan Reddy Arutla (CRA): I have always been passionate about apparel and shopping – usually, I spend a lot of time and money on shopping.    In 2011, an enthusiastic young man combined his passion for fashion with business and started Roman Island. Six years later, this Rs.100 crore company is making its presence felt both in the domestic and international markets. CEO and Chairman Charan Reddy Arutla shares the company’s growth, challenges and plans with The Dollar Business.

time-read
4 mins  |
April 2017
Fta Will Create A Win-win Situation
The Dollar Business

Fta Will Create A Win-win Situation

Edgar Vasquez, Vice Minister of Foreign Trade of Peru, was in India recently to push for a comprehensive free trade agreement (FTA) covering goods, services and investments between the two countries. The Dollar Business caught up with him to understand the rationale behind the proposed FTA, which is in line with the agreements the Latin American nation already has with 53 countries.

time-read
5 mins  |
April 2017
The 'Soap' Opera Has Just Begun
The Dollar Business

The 'Soap' Opera Has Just Begun

Indian exporters of organic soaps have been making ‘clean’ hits across overseas markets for quite some time now. As a result, exports of this product from the country has risen steadily. So, what really makes this product a popular choice amongst foreign buyers and Indian exporters (who enjoy high average margins)?

time-read
5 mins  |
April 2017
GST: Right Intent. Wrong Rules
The Dollar Business

GST: Right Intent. Wrong Rules

A catalyst or deterrent for India's exports?

time-read
10+ mins  |
June 2017
The Sweet Sound Of Profits
The Dollar Business

The Sweet Sound Of Profits

Usage of earphones and headphones in India has been increasing at a rapid clip, in tandem with mobile phone and Internet penetration. And that should be music to the ears of importers of the product as production lags demand by a huge margin.The Dollar Business dives deep into the business to understand and analyse the dynamics of this lucrative market.

time-read
6 mins  |
June 2017
Protectionism Is On The Rise Globally
The Dollar Business

Protectionism Is On The Rise Globally

Dr. Shashi Tharoor dons many hats with equal élan – a Congress leader, a Member of Parliament representing the Thiruvananthapuram constituency, the Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs, and a much acclaimed and awarded author. In an exclusive interview with The Dollar Business, Dr. Tharoor shares his views on the changing dynamics of global trade.

time-read
7 mins  |
June 2017
A Fashionable, ‘Boot'iful Idea
The Dollar Business

A Fashionable, ‘Boot'iful Idea

When India’s exports were on a decline over the last couple of years, one product category that did not lose its shine is leather boots. On the contrary, its exports from India surpassed that of traditional leaders like Germany and Netherlands. The Dollar Business analyses what makes this product a bestseller overseas.

time-read
6 mins  |
June 2017
What's In Store For Global Trade In 2017?
The Dollar Business

What's In Store For Global Trade In 2017?

The year gone by was eventful, both for the world and India. While the much-awaited Goods and Services Tax (GST) was passed by the Indian Parliament, United Kingdom voted to exit the European Union. While Donald Trump took the world by surprise, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's sudden announcement of demonetisation left the whole country in a financial shock. The global commodity market too woke up from a slumber, though there is more recovery that can be made. While these and many other such events shook the world in 2016, their impact on global trade and policy environments will only likely be seen in 2017. Will 2017 be a year of change for the better? The Dollar Business takes a look at key elements and occurrences that could change world trade in 2017.

time-read
10 mins  |
January 2017
Demonetisation & Its (Side) Effects
The Dollar Business

Demonetisation & Its (Side) Effects

While a large segment of the Indian population supports the post-Diwali demonetisation drive, that its impact on India's economy will be negative in the short term is a given. The Dollar Business analyses how the move could well prove a headwind for India's manufacturing, foreign trade and economic growth.

time-read
10 mins  |
January 2017