Many countries are now enforcing stricter emission norms, which are becoming costly for car manufacturers to follow. As a result, many companies, especially in developed markets, are moving toward electric or hybrid vehicles.
Hyundai has also felt this impact, leading to the permanent discontinuation of the i10 in Europe and the UK. Some i10 cars may still be available at dealerships, but Hyundai is no longer accepting new orders.
The Hyundai i10 was first launched in 2008 and was produced at Hyundai’s plant in Turkey. This facility will now be upgraded to manufacture upcoming electric vehicles, following Hyundai’s global plan to increase electrification.
Like in India, the i10 was a popular model in Europe, with total sales surpassing 370,000 units, making it one of the best-selling entry-level cars in the region.
Following the i10’s discontinuation, the most affordable Hyundai option in the UK is the Inster EV. The i10 was priced at £18,350 (around Rs. 22.68 lakh), while the Inster EV costs £5,500 (around Rs. 6.79 lakh) more.
Budget-conscious buyers can still consider the Kia Picanto, which starts at £16,745 on-road (approximately Rs. 20.70 lakh).
Other city cars like the Fiat 500 and Toyota Aygo X have shifted to hybrid powertrains, making them significantly more expensive and less appealing to traditional budget buyers.
With Europe enforcing stricter emission norms, it is unlikely that the i10 will return to European or UK markets. However, Hyundai has no plans to discontinue the i10 in India.
i10’s Popularity in India
The Hyundai i10 is one of the company’s most popular cars in India. Earlier this year, it achieved a major milestone with total sales reaching 3.3 million units.
Out of these, over 2 million units were sold in India, and the rest were exported to more than 140 countries, including Mexico, South Africa, Peru, and Chile.
The i10 NIOS is currently Hyundai’s fifth best-selling car in India and contributes around 10% to the company’s monthly sales.
