Hyundai Motor India Ltd (HMIL) today announced the launch of the diesel variant of its premium hacthback, i20, priced at Rs 6,19,800 (Ex-showroom Delhi) and plans to sell about 1,000 units of the new variant per month.

''The premium compact segment grew by 53 per cent in 2008 and with the launch of the diesel variant, we hope to tap the vast potential that exists in the diesel car segment in the country,'' HMIL Managing Director H S Lheem told reporters here.

The i20 since its launch in December has sold about 72,000 units of which 60,000 was exported whereas the remaining 12,000 has been sold in the domestic market.

''On an average, we are selling about 2,500 units of the i20 and with the launch of the diesel variant we hope to add another 1,000 to the present tally,'' HMIL President Ashok Jha said.

The company also announced the availability of i20 automatic version, which comes equipped with 1.4 litre petrol engine.

The customers have to pay Rs 7,31,130 for the automatic version.

''With the launch of the i20 automatic, HMIL has become the first manufacturer to offer an automatic option across all segments starting from the compact to the premium,'' Mr Lheem said. The company will also commence third shift operations at its Irrungattukottai Plant I from July 10 in order to meet the excessive demand for the i20, he informed.

When asked as to when Hyundai plans to introduce SUVs and MUVs in the Indian market, he said that the company is doing a fesability study for this and may be in the next year rollout one of the models.

''We are carrying out study for this...and may be in the next year the company will be introducing one of the models,'' he said.