25 years of exporting from India: Hyundai India’s export dominance

Business. That is what automobiles are. We enthusiasts can sometimes be naïve, believing that carmakers exist solely to fulfil our automotive desires. But the reality hits hard when you witness the scale of operations that make these desires possible. That truth became crystal clear on a recent visit to the Chennai port, where we were greeted by the Glovis Sonic — a Ro-Ro ferry ship used by Hyundai Motor India Ltd. (HMIL) to export their cars to markets across the globe.

Now, before it sounds like I’m glorifying the corporate machinery, let me assure you this visit triggered a different kind of intrigue — one that helped me see the importance of business and trade in keeping an automotive brand alive and thriving. So, come along for a short tour aboard the massive ship that helps Hyundai export Made-in-India cars to the world.

25 Years of exporting from India

This visit marked a significant milestone: 25 years of Hyundai exporting cars from India. In that time, over 37 lakh units have been shipped to more than 150 countries, making HMIL the largest exporter of passenger vehicles from India. All of this has been achieved via one port — the Chennai Port.

But Hyundai’s ambitions don’t stop there. The company plans to make India its largest export hub after South Korea, and is targeting 7–8 per cent growth in exports over the next financial year. Currently, Hyundai’s India-made cars are shipped to around 60 countries — primarily emerging markets, where the value-driven, cost-effective models find the most resonance.

The vehicles exported include the Grand i10, Accent (Verna in India), Atos (formerly Santro), i20, and Creta. Recently, HMIL has also begun exporting the Creta Electric to neighbouring countries. Hyundai’s deep understanding of the Indian market — which shares similarities with other developing markets — gives it an edge in designing cars that appeal to these regions. Exports currently account for 21 per cent of HMIL’s total sales, i.e., 6 per cent higher than the industry average.

Hyundai India’s export ship – Glovis Sonic

The Glovis Sonic is a Ro-Ro (Roll-on/Roll-off) ferry — similar to the ones you might soon see operating between Mumbai and Goa — but on a massive scale. This ship is 230 metres long and six storeys high, capable of carrying around 7,000 cars in one trip. It takes roughly 24 hours to fully load. As we drove up the ramps to the top deck, it felt eerily like navigating a mall parking structure — only here, cars stood side by side, neatly strapped down from their tow hooks at both ends to ensure they stayed put when the sea turned rough.

There’s a high level of secrecy at the port, as it's also used by the Indian Navy, so photography was limited. But climbing up to the top deck (sixth floor — the final two levels are accessible only on foot) offered a truly humbling perspective. The deck was vast enough to land three to five helicopters. And for someone with intense acrophobia, peering over the starboard side was both terrifying and magnificent. The view stretched across the city’s skyline and out to the open sea. The crew spends weeks, sometimes months on board, and their cabins resemble compact hotel rooms. Interestingly, there’s even half a basketball court on the top deck. But the most fascinating area was undoubtedly the command deck, or as it’s called, the bridge.

This is where all the action happens — the ship’s navigation, communication, and control systems converge here. The tech is mind-blowing: multiple screens display real-time GPS coordinates, radar imaging, satellite links, and positions of nearby vessels. The captain and his team are always in sync with port authorities and weather systems. As I casually fiddled with the steering and throttle controls (with permission, I promise!), the captain shot me a mildly concerned glance — followed by a polite smile. That was my cue to step away.

Disembarking Hyundai’s Glovis Sonic

Descending from the bridge, I couldn’t help but reflect on how this invisible machinery of logistics, trade, and strategy powers the cars we love. It’s this robust business backbone that enables brands to develop vehicles for enthusiasts too — if they choose to. And Hyundai, I’m happy to report, does exactly that. With cars like the Ioniq 5, the Creta Electric, and the trio of N-Line models, the brand is catering to those who love driving, even while meeting business goals.

This behind-the-scenes peek into a lesser-talked-about aspect of the automotive world gave me a new appreciation for the scale and complexity involved. So the next time you’re behind the wheel, take a moment to marvel at how your car came together — a feat of global coordination, manufacturing excellence, and yes, solid business sense.