Hyundai: India’s biggest IPO could come from South Korean car manufacturer

Hyundai Motor’s India unit sought regulatory approval on Saturday for a stock market listing in Mumbai, which could be the nation’s biggest and will see the South Korean parent sell a stake of up to 17.5% in the company.

The initial public offering (IPO) will make it the country’s first car maker to go public in two decades since Maruti Suzuki in 2003, and would come just as Indian stock markets are trading near record highs.

Hyundai counts India as a crucial growth market where it has two manufacturing units and has invested $5 billion, with commitments to pump in another $4 billion over the next decade. The world’s biggest car market after China and the United States is the company’s third-biggest revenue generator globally.

The Hyundai draft prospectus filed gave no details of the pricing of the IPO or the company’s valuation, but sources have said Hyundai aims to raise around $2.5 to $3 billion at a valuation of up to $30 billion.

Hyundai, India’s second-biggest car maker behind Maruti Suzuki, will not issue new shares in the IPO, which will involve its South Korean parent selling part of its stake in the wholly owned unit to retail and other investors via a so-called “offer for sale” route.

The listing is seen putting Hyundai Motor India on a stronger footing versus Maruti Suzuki, Tata Motors and other rivals as it could make future fundraising easier, without the need to depend on its Korean parent.

Hyundai expects the listing of the equity shares in India “will enhance our visibility and brand image,” and “provide liquidity and a public market” for the shares, the company said in the draft prospectus filed on Saturday.

It did not provide a timeline for the listing, but typically India’s markets regulator,