Maruti Suzuki to export new Baleno to Japan

Kolkata: In a first-ever move, Maruti Suzuki India Ltd. (MSIL) will start exporting its newly-launched premium hatchback Baleno to Japan next year onwards, the company said here on Monday.

"The car (to be exported to Japan) will have the same features as the one rolled out in India. This is our first ever export to Japan", the company's chief general manger of marketing Sanjeev Handa told media persons here on the sidelines of the car's launch.

Japan-based Suzuki Motor Corporation owns 56.21 percent stake in the company.

"Besides Japan, we will also be exporting the car to Latin America, Europe, Sri Lanka and several other countries," he said.

To be exported to over 100 countries from January 1 next year across the globe, MSIL is expecting Baleno exports to touch 30,000 units.

The car is available exclusively from its Nexa outlets and is produced at its Manesar plant in Haryana.

First unveiled in the Frankfurt Motor Show last month, the car is priced at Rs.523,912 lakh (ex-showroom Kolkata) for the petrol variant and Rs.644,108 lakh (ex-showroom Kolkata) for the diesel variant.

"The car design is based on liquid flow both for exteriors as well as the interior and has anti-lock braking system and dual air-bags for all models," Handa said.

The official said MSIL's much-anticipated compact SUV will be launched by March 31, 2016.