Eyeing top slot in the premium hatchback segment, country's largest carmaker Maruti Suzuki India (MSI) on Monday rolled out its latest model 'Baleno', priced between Rs4.99 lakh and Rs 8.11 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi).
With this model, the company aims to achieve leadership position in a segment which is currently dominated by the likes of Hyundai i20, Honda Jazz and Volkswagen Polo priced between Rs5.34 lakh and Rs 8.63 lakh.
“With festive period around, this is the right time to launch Baleno. It will be an important model in our mission to achieve two million sales per annum by 2020,” MSI Managing Director & CEO Kenichi Ayukawa told reporters here. The car, which will be manufactured only in India, is the first car from the MSI stable that will be exported to Japan, he added. “It is a global model which would not only satisfy customers in India but global markets as well. I am excited that this model will be exported to Japan from India therefore opening a new chapter in the long history of MSI,” Ayukawa said.
The company will begin exporting Baleno early next year to over 100 global markets. It plans to export around 50,000 units in the first year, including up to 6,000 units to Japan, Ayukawa said.
In domestic market, Baleno will be sold through the company's new premium network of showrooms, Nexa. “We are looking for leadership position in premium hatchback segment but it will happen gradually. We are very optimistic about this model as it is packed with various features,” MSI Executive Director Marketing and Sales RS Kalsi said.