What’s cooking Hyundai India?

What is going on at Hyundai? Who is in charge? How are rabid Pakistani mongrels having the autonomy to post absolute nonsense on social media regarding Kashmir – which is an integral and inseparable part of India? Why is Hyundai playing into the hands of Rawalpindi and the Pakistani military establishment, which since 1948, has been unsuccessfully trying to snatch Kashmir from India? On February 5, liberals, Islamists and Pakistani stooges across the world observe something called the ‘Kashmir Solidarity Day. This has become an annual affair now, and Hyundai decided it would be wise to pitch in to call for a “free Kashmir” as well. 

On Saturday, the company’s dealer in Pakistan shared solidarity messages on social media over Kashmir. Hyundai Pakistan marked ‘Kashmir Solidarity Day’ on Saturday and urged people to remember the ‘sacrifice’ of Kashmiri brothers and sisters. Posting an image from Kashmir, the caption read, “Let us remember the sacrifices of our Kashmiri brothers and stand in support as they continue to struggle for freedom.”

On Instagram, the message for Kashmir which Hyundai Pakistan had was this: “Praying for the liberation of our eternally beautiful Kashmir today and always.” The social media posts were up for a considerable amount of time, before being taken down after outrage in India threatened the South Korean car manufacturer’s fortunes in its largest market. 

Hyundai Blocks Indian Users on Twitter; Refuses to Apologise

When Indians on Twitter began asking some tough questions from Hyundai, its official handle in the country had the temerity to block such users on the micro-blogging platform!

After #BoycottHyundai became the top trend in India, the automobile manufacturer got some sense knocked into itself and decided to state the entire fiasco. But it missed the most important part – an apology. Hyundai should have apologised for its Pakistani arm’s misadventure, and yet, in a condescending tone, it sought to blame Indians for questioning its ‘nationalistic’ inclinations and commitment to the country. 

In the statement, Hyundai India said, “The unsolicited social media post linking Hyundai Motor India is offending our unparalleled commitment and service to this great country. India is second home to the Hyundai brand and we have a zero-tolerance policy towards insensitive communication and we strongly condemn any such view.”

It added, “As a part of our commitment to India, we will continue our efforts towards the betterment of the country as well as its citizens.” 

Is Hyundai Willing to Lose India for Pakistan?

Hyundai Motor India is the second-largest carmaker in the country after Maruti Suzuki India. By 2020, India had beaten China to turn out the highest number of Hyundai cars outside Korea. One in every four of the company’s cars worldwide are being made in India. In the same year, India had become the largest overseas market for the Korean giant in total sales globally. Domestic and export volumes put together saw Hyundai Motor India (HMI) clock 691,460 units (510,260 domestic + 181,200 export) in sales in 2019. The momentum has continued since. 

Read more: Modi Government reverses land Jihad in Jammu & Kashmir with style

But Hyundai, for reasons best known to it, seems more interested in “liberating Kashmir” and perhaps, seeing it amalgamate with Pakistan. Hyundai Global had not apologised till the time this report was published. Every second it wastes in trying to contain the situation without an apology and without sacking its Pakistani workers – the company loses customers in India. People in India like Hyundai cars; but when it comes to choosing between a car and their country’s pride – the choice will be a given. 

Hyundai, in December 2021, announced that it will invest up to Rs 4,000 crore to drive around six electric vehicles in India by 2028. It currently sells 12 models including Creta and Venue in the domestic market. With a promising growth-driven future lined up for it in India, will Hyundai continue toeing Pakistan’s line, or will the South Korean company keep its Indian interests at the forefront? Only time will tell. As far as Indians are concerned, they have made their decision clear – it is either Pakistan or India. Hyundai cannot have both at the same time.