Baleno comes back with a bash, 4600 bookings in 2 days

Priced aggressively in the range of Rs 4.99 lakh - Rs 8.11 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi), the vehicle undercuts all of its rivals by Rs 36,000 to Rs 40,000. The top-of-the-line trim also offers several segment-first features such as LED daytime running lamps, taillamps with LED strip, Apple auto Play infotainment system with 7-inch touchscreen display, etc. "We are planning to introduce a model fitted with safety features ahead of the government's regulation", Maruti Suzuki India Executive Director (Marketing and Sales) RS Kalsi told reporters.

The premium auto segment grew at staggering 22% last year and 5.20 lakh unit were sold in India last year. "We will be making exports to 100 overseas locations including Europe, Japan, South America in 2016", he said.

India is the only manufacturing base for the Baleno in the entire world and Maruti Suzuki will export the vehicle to over 100 countries starting 2016. According to the manufacturer, they have received 600 bookings nationwide from their over 80 Nexa dealerships with a footfall of close to 1500 on the very first day and the total booking figures have surpassed 4,600 till now. Maruti Suzuki India now has two manufacturing facilities, with a total capacity of 15 lakh units. The third facility is coming up in Gujarat and work is already in progress, it is expected to go on stream by mid-2017, another 2.5 lakh would be added in the first phase, which will be later ramped up to 7.5 lakh. Baleno was introduced as a premium sedan few years back, but due to poor sales, its production was stopped.