Japanese carmaker’s unit Maruti Suzuki India Limited (MSIL) will begin export of India-made car ‘Baleno’ to Japan for the first time from January 2016.
“Baleno is a global product. For the first time ever, we will begin export this global hatchback in Japan beside other 100 global markets from January 2016,” MSIL vice-president (marketing) Sanjeev Handa said here on Monday at the global launch of premium hatchback Baleno.
Like testing water
Export to Japan would be like testing water on the matured market for Made-in-India cars.
Mr. Handa did not specify the quantum of export to Japan but said that as per rough estimates total Baleno exports across markets could be around 30,000 units annually.
However, he said, the company was focused about this new hatchback for the domestic market and was confident in gaining leadership position in this segment. Baleno after S-Cross is the second car that would be sold through Nexa dealership.
Full range of cars
Mr. Handa said Nexa dealers would have full range of cars but did not divulge any details of rollout.
Asked about compact SUV, he said it would be by this fiscal but did not say whether the same would be sold through Nexa or Maruti dealers.
In Kolkata, Baleno petrol variants ranged between Rs. 5.23 lakh and Rs. 7.05 lakh, while diesel variants’ price band is between Rs. 6.44 lakh and Rs. 8.44 lakh.
