Hyundai India kicks off $3.3B IPO in nation's largest-ever offering
The Logo of Hyundai Motor India Limited is seen outside a car showroom in Ahmedabad, India, Oct. 7, 2024. (Reuters Photo)


Hyundai India will begin taking orders for its $3.3 billion initial public offering (IPO) in Mumbai on Monday, the company said in regulatory filings, a deal that will mark the country's largest-ever share offering and the world's second-biggest IPO in 2024.

The IPO shows that India's red-hot capital markets show no sign of cooling, with 260 companies having raised more than $9 billion so far in 2024, according to LSEG data. The year-to-date volume has already surpassed the $7.42 billion total raised last year.

Hyundai will not issue new shares in the IPO, in which its South Korean parent will sell up to 17.5% of its stake in the wholly-owned unit, which will be valued at up to $19 billion.

At that size, Hyundai India will account for about 40% of its parent company, Hyundai Motor's market capitalization.

There will be 142,194,700 shares on offer in a price band of 1,865 to 1,960 rupees, according to the filings, and the deal will be the first time Hyundai is listed outside of its South Korean home market.

Institutions can bid for the stock from Monday, while retail and other investors can place orders on Tuesday and Wednesday. The stock will begin trading in Mumbai on Oct. 22, the regulatory filings show.

Analysts said Hyundai Motor will likely expand its production in India, potentially including hybrids and electric vehicles. This would help the South Korean automaker strengthen its position in the Indian market as the country focuses on environmentally friendly vehicles.

"With the funds raised by the IPO, Hyundai Motor would secure a sizable investment capacity to close the market share gap with India's No.1 player, Maruti Suzuki, as the South Korean automaker would likely invest in expanding its production in India," said Shin Yoon-Chul, an analyst at Kiwoom Securities. He added that the IPO seemed timely as the auto sector has been leading the Indian stock market in terms of performance.

Hyundai India's IPO will be the largest ever in India if successful, eclipsing the previous record of Life Insurance Corporation of India's 2022 deal when it raised $2.5 billion.

It will be the second largest IPO globally this year in terms of money raised, following Lineage Inc.'s $5.1 billion U.S. IPO in July.

Hyundai is India's second-largest automaker after Maruti and is looking to take market share from domestic rivals by expanding its SUV lineup.

It also plans to launch its first India-made electric vehicle early next year and introduce at least two gasoline-powered models tailored to the market starting in 2026.