New Delhi, Sep 30 (IANS): Automobile major Hyundai Friday said it would open bookings for its new entry level compact car Eon from Oct 1.

"We are confident that Eon will set a new benchmark in the Indian market with regard to styling, performance, safety and convenience," said H.W. Park, managing director and chief executive, Hyundai Motors India.

According to Park, the customers can expect the new compact car to fulfill the needs of Indian customers and provide them with best-in-class design, quality and technology.

"Hyundai understands the needs of the Indian customer. Successful products as the Santro, i10, i20 and the new Fluidic Verna are perfect examples."

The company said the car has been designed at Hyundai's Namyang research and design (R&D) centre in South Korea in coordination with another R&D centre in Hyderabad.

The entry-level compact car is expected to give stiff competition to Maruti Suzuki's Alto.

The company further said that Eon will bear Hyundai's latest design philosophy of 'Fluidic Sculpture'.

"Eon has design elements and features that have been specifically developed for Indian conditions. The car is targeted at first time buyers who want to buy a spacious and stylish car that is high on fuel economy," the company said in a statement.