Latest reports say that Toyota Rebadged Maruti Suzuki Baleno hatchback is going to launch in India in the FY Q1 of 2019. The Baleno will get minor cosmetic changes and some feature changes to launch as new Toyota hatchback in that segment. Check out more details here.
New Toyota Maruti Baleno is going to launch in India. Actually, it’s a Toyota Rebadged Maruti Suzuki Baleno. In an international agreement between Suzuki Motor Corp and Toyota has led to the decision of cross-badged products between the two automakers. Suzuki is going to supply around 25,000 Balenos to Toyota, who will then redevelop it to launch its own premium hatchback. Currently, Toyota only has the Etios Liva in the hatchback department, which is not that popular. According to LiveMint, Toyota will start selling the Baleno through its own dealership network from the first quarter of the next fiscal year. Following Baleno, there will be more vehicles exchanged between both of the automakers. The changes that Toyota will make to the Baleno have also been approved.
Also Read: Maruti Baleno Facelift In Works: Launch Likely By First Quarter of 2019
The Baleno is currently produced at Suzuki’s factory in Gujarat. Once handed over to Toyota, it will undergo some minor changes in exteriors and interiors such as headlamps, tail lamps, and front grille. There will be no changes to the powertrain specifications, including the engines and transmission.
The Toyota rebadged Maruti Suzuki Baleno will continue with the same 1.2 Litre Petrol and 1.3 Litre DDiS diesel engine. For transmission, it will continue with Baleno’s 5-speed Manual and CVT options. The petrol engine gives a claimed mileage of 21.4 KMPL and the diesel unit delivers 27 KMPL. However, these engines might be BS-VI compliant.
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Suzuki and Toyota will further sell each other’s rebadged products. Maruti is also going to supply its compact SUV, Vitara Brezza to Toyota. Toyota does not have a compact SUV, sub-compact SUV and a premium hatchback in its lineup. In return, Toyota is going to supply its Corolla Sedan to Maruti. Maruti with the Toyota Corolla will take its step in the premium executive sedan segment.
Earlier than the Toyota Maruti Baleno, there were some cross-badged products in India. However, they did not work out well. There is the Nissan-Renault alliance, Skoda-Volkswagen, Mahindra-Rexton, which gave us models like Duster, Terrano, Volkswagen Vento and Skoda Rapid. However, Toyota could really use this hatchback in its lineup.
Also Read: Maruti Vitara Brezza Petrol Price, Mileage, Launch, Features And Engine Details
Expect the hatchback to cost similarly to Baleno, starting from around Rs 5.5 Lakhs up to Rs 9.5 Lakhs (ex-showroom). Now, we are waiting to see what features will this new hatchback have and will it be as safe as the Yaris?
Stay Tuned to CarBlogIndia for more updates on the upcoming Toyota Rebadged Maruti Suzuki Baleno.
