Laxmi Intercontinental Pvt. Ltd., the authorized distributor of Hyundai vehicles in Nepal, has launched the locally assembled Hyundai Creta ICE, promoting domestic automobile production. Alongside this, the company has introduced the imported Hyundai Creta EV under the theme Choose Your Future.

At an event held in Kathmandu on Monday, Hyundai Nepal unveiled both models. The starting price of the Creta EV has been set at Rs 5.196 million, while the locally assembled Creta ICE is priced at Rs 5.396 million. The company stated that the domestically assembled Creta ICE is up to Rs 900,000 cheaper than the imported version expected to arrive in 2025.

Laxmi Motor Corporation, a subsidiary of Laxmi Group, began assembling Hyundai vehicles in Nepal in 2024. After initially assembling the Hyundai Venue, the company has now expanded its operations to include the Creta. The domestically assembled Venue model is also Rs 450,000 cheaper than the imported one, said Deepak Thapaliya, General Manager of Laxmi Intercontinental, in an interview with New Business Age. He added that the company is also assessing the feasibility of assembling the Creta EV locally. According to Thapaliya, 40-50 units of the domestically assembled Creta ICE have already been booked, with 15-20 units sold. He expressed confidence that the model would gain popularity among Nepali customers due to its affordability and local production.

Hyundai first introduced the Creta in Nepal in 2015. The company claims that the model has become the preferred choice of over 10,000 customers in the mid-size SUV segment, thanks to its appealing design, strong performance, and suitability for diverse terrains and age groups.

Hyundai Nepal is also expanding its electric vehicle ecosystem by developing a DC fast-charging network with integrated service centers, making EV ownership more convenient. Additionally, the company has partnered with Attero India for battery recycling and residual value management, reinforcing its commitment to sustainability.