The South Korean auto manufacturer Hyundai first launched the compact vehicle known as the Hyundai Elantra (or the Hyundai Avante in South Korea) in the year 1991. The Hyundai Elantra is known as the Hyundai Lantra in certain markets.
Between the years of 1996 and 1998, the Hyundai Elantra was sold in Indonesia as the Bimantara Cakra and the Bimantara Nenggala.
Up until the 2001 model year, the Hyundai Elantra was sold in some European and Australian markets under the names of Avante and Lantra. At that point, the car was rebadged and brought in to the larger market segment around the world. At that point, there were complaints by Mitsubishi of Australia that the Elantra was too close to its Elante trim level, while in the United Kingdom and Europe, Lotus complained that it was too close in name to its Elan brand. By the year 2001, both the Elante and Elan no longer were in existence. It was necessary to rename the Avante, as Audi is the owner of the Avant name in the European Union.
The Hyundai Elantra was first launched in the United States of America in the year 1992. It was intended to compete with such vehicles as the Toyota Corolla and the Honda Civic.
