Maruti is ready to export a 'Made in India' vehicle to Japan, to be sold by parent company Suzuki. Japanese company Suzuki, which controls 56 % stake in Maruti, recently decided to make India a global manufacturing hub for its upcoming premium compact car 'Balena', which will be exported to over 100 countries.
The car will be its first attempt in the premium compact segment, and is scheduled to debut in India on October 26. Baleno will directly compete with Hyundai's Elite i20 and Honda's Jazz. Unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September, it will have a 1.2 litre petrol engine and 1.3 litre diesel engine. “Baleno has been developed for the global markets and India will be the exclusive manufacturing hub for the car,” R S Kalsi, executive director (marketing & sales) at Maruti Suzuki, said.
This will be the first time that Maruti will supply a car to its parent for sale in Japan. The company which contributes 40% to Suzuki's global sales volume and one third of its revenue, sees this as a “big achievement”. They said, “It is a proud moment for us. A vehicle made at our Manesar factory will be sold in Japan.”
Apart from Japan, other countries where the Baleno will be sold include, Italy, France, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark and Spain. In South America, it will be sold in Chile, Paraguay and Colombia.
