Hyundai Accent, a car that lived for over 12 years now, is facing a slow death. First launched in 1999, Accent is perhaps a car that has survived for too long a time. Its timely launch in the market when there were hardly any competitors and the right price tag made it an instant hit. At that time, the only competitors were Maruti Suzuki Esteem and Daewoo Cielo in that segment. If people could afford to shell out more, then there were options like the Honda City, Ford Escort, Opel Astra and the Mitsubishi Lancer. Thus, Accent came in as a better option for those who were looking for something more at a lesser price. Hyundai had launched the Santro before Accent which got a great response from the customers. Accent was only the second car from Hyundai, a sedan that was a good option for people then who bought a sedan as a status symbol.
The brand Accent indeed has been strong to have survived for so many years. New cars came and went and Accent stood there with revamps taking place every now and then. Names like Ford Ikon and Chevrolet Optra did create some buzz but as the time passed, they too faded. Brands like Volkswagen, Skoda, Civic and Corolla made their mark and thus we had a good number of sedans entering India from Europe and Japan. Competition was stiffening but Accent still stood there holding its share and being the chosen one among the Indian customers. But like every product, Accent too had its own share of success and failure stories. It was in the year 2005, when maximum number of Accent units were sold in a year and the number stood at 30,000. But now, the number is just stooping down. 2011 saw just 11,000 units hitting the road.
The successor to Accent, Hyundai Verna, has stolen the market slowly. Accent which had been introduced several times with makeovers is hardly being considered for a facelift by the Korean automaker. A stoppage on cyclical facelifts will only adversely affect Accent. Perhaps, this will lead to death of the Accent very soon. This is an era where atleast 25-30 cars are launched in an year and major facelifts providing better technology and features is the surviving mantra for every car brand. Customers have a basket-full of choices now. There is the Swift DZire, Ford Fiesta and Mahindra Verito. Among so many options, Accent stands there being an oldest car and the one which might see a gradual death. Still, we will remember the car that was once the most desired sedan in India.
Source – Hindustan Times
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Rajan August 4, 2012 at 11:36 pm
I think introduction of Accent is the beginning of modern diesel engine era in India at affordable price. It completely revolutized that segment and slapped the myth that “diesel engines are sluggish” right on its face. I think CRDi technology came first to India with the Accent if i am not wrong.
I see Accent as a legend and its sad to see it RIP.
Faisal Khan August 5, 2012 at 11:27 pm
Rajan, yes CRDi technology was available to the masses in the Accent but it was very high on maintenance.
swift August 5, 2012 at 1:02 am
Why shouldn’t hyundai update accent and compete with the ugly duck swift dzire?
Faisal Khan August 5, 2012 at 11:25 pm
Swift, upgrades will boost costs. They don’t want to invest in the Accent name anymore.
Auto Analyst August 5, 2012 at 1:52 am
Hyundai should launch Accent with CRDi Diesel engine ( i20 ). If they discontinue Accent, then their sedans will start from 9 Lakhs onwards ( Verna ) and there will not be any sedan offering from Hyundai below that price…
If Hyundai management becomes realistic and plonks CRDi engine to proven and rugged Accent… it will sell like hot cakes… They can still continue with Verna which is more powerful and in a different segment…
Ford has renamed old Fiesta to Classic… Infact Classic is selling more than the new Fiesta…
Maruti has crampy Swift Dezire prized exorbitantly…
Request Hyundai guys to think and try not to kill a capable, rugged and proven product.
S Pani August 5, 2012 at 7:16 am
Well competing in the cheaper sedan segment is a good idea.
But just plonking in the i20′s diesel engine wont do the job. The segment has many strong contenders today in the likes of Dzire, Manza, Etios, Verito, Sunny and Classic. All these cars are head and shoulders ahead above the Accent.
So if Hyundai wants to compete in the segment, they will most likely have to come up with an almost completely new car, and not a patch up job on the Accent.
Faisal Khan August 5, 2012 at 11:26 pm
S Pani, and the all new Accent is the Verna!
Faisal Khan August 5, 2012 at 11:25 pm
Auto Analyst, Hyundai will replace Accent with i20 sedan.
anurag.G August 5, 2012 at 9:24 am
Hiii All .
Hyundai is going to discontinue Accent ( Current Model ) in India . They are going to launch All new Accent , which look like Current Verna . it is smaller in Dimension . All new Interior but no Idea about engine . they have already developed its Hatchback model also . I have seen both model running successfully in Bhutan . I will update you with Pics. of these models in the last of this month .
Faisal Khan August 5, 2012 at 11:27 pm
Anurag, that is the Verna and not new Accent. The updated Accent globally is called the Verna in India.
anurag.G August 6, 2012 at 12:19 am
Hiii Faisal ,
Initially i was also confused with the same , but I have seen its name on the car ( Sedan and Hatchback ) the back of Accent hatchback is resemble with Hyundai ION . and Faisal Hyundai verna is also on sale in Bhutan along with Accent . This new Accent look like Verna but it is smaller in Dimension . I have seen both the vehicle parked in front of Sintula Hotel , Phuentsholing ( Bhutan ) , I tried for a click while i was in another car but my BB curve camera is not good for taking pic. while moving . Brother , next time i will take Pic. and will send them to you . one more thing surprises me that although Bhutan is Poor Country , the Automobile market is not big , eventhough Hyundai launched their new model much before in Bhutan then India . For eg : All new Hyundai Sonata was on sale in Bhutan from November 2011 . New Fluedic Tucson is selling in good no. in Bhutan Since Dec. 2011 . and to my surprise the price of All new Hyundai Tucson is only 9 lac. Nu. while in India its price will be approx Rs .12 – 14 lac . This new Tucson is look awesome .
Sarik August 5, 2012 at 3:22 pm
Hyundai should launch the accent with their fluidic phylosphy. I think this will create a big competition to its competitors. their fluidic cars look awesome. like they have done with old verna,i20,i10,sonata,elantra,santa fe,why dont the accent?
Faisal Khan August 5, 2012 at 11:29 pm
Sarik, fluidic styling on the Accent will lead to investment in R&D.