Hyundai developing ix25-based compact crossover for Europe and the US

The compact crossover segment is a hotly contested field thanks to the arrival of newer rivals from a range of established automakers. Following in the footsteps of Renault, Ford, Honda and Nissan, Hyundai made an entry into the compact crossover segment with the ix25 recently.    

While the recently launched ix25 has been developed specifically for China, Hyundai is said to be working on a new compact crossover based on the same model. According to Automotive News Europe, the Korean auto giant will sell a derivative of the crossover model in Europe and the US from 2017 onwards. 

The addition of a new compact crossover would help Hyundai in competing in Europe’s booming compact SUV segment, which witnessed a growth of 89 per cent in the first half of this year with sales of 390,100 units. 

Although Hyundai showcased a compact SUV concept called Intrado at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this year, the company shared no plans of a probable production-spec model. 

The ix25 first made its debut as a concept at the 2014 Beijing Auto Show. Designed using Hyundai’s Fluidic Sculpture 2.0 design theme, the production-spec model retains most of the intriguing design elements of the concept. In China, it competes with the Ford EcoSport  and the upcoming Volkswagen Taigun.

Although the ix25 is destined to be sold only in China, Hyundai is expected to introduce a similarly-sized model in other important markets globally. As for the Indian market, the Korean automaker may well take the plunge in the ever growing compact crossover segment presently dominated by the Ford EcoSport and the Renault Duster.

Source: AutomotiveNewsEurope