Hyundai launches small hatch attack

Australians are embracing small cars in such a big way that Hyundai has decided to introduce a third hatchback in the sub-$20,000 class.

However, at the same time, the Korean car maker says it will leave the bargain basement behind once remaining stock of its $12,990 Getz hatch is sold out in the next few months.

Hyundai confirmed at the Melbourne motor show this morning that the all-new Accent hatch will join the Accent sedan when both models arrive in local showrooms in the next few months. Until now only the sedan was confirmed.

Demand for hatchbacks has become so strong in Australia that Hyundai has decided to have a three-way bet in the critical small-car class.

In size and price the Accent five door will slot between the $15,990 i20 and the $18,990 i30, giving customers more choice in the sub-$20,000 class than any other maker of small cars.

“A lot of people have been asking us how we’re planning to replace Getz volume. This is one of the strategies,” said Hyundai Australia director of marketing Oliver Mann.

“In Getz leaving, we’re vacating the low cost entry-level of the market.

“The role of Accent is to consolidate penetration in the middle and the top of the Light Car segment, rather than the entry level.

“Go back five years and Getz was 45 per cent of our volume, we were a Getz-based brand.

“We’re now an i30-based brand, so the centre of gravity has shifted, but at the same time we are selling cars more evenly across all segments.”

The Accent is powered by a 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine overseas and this is the most likely engine for Australia.

The Accent sedan went on sale in South Korea in November 2010 and the five-door hatch went on sale there in March this year.

Both the Accent sedan and hatch are due in Australian showrooms in the next few months.