Maruti Baleno prices likely to be hiked post festive season

With its aggressive initial pricing of Rs 4.99 lakh (ex-showroom, Mumbai) for the base Sigma petrol variant, Maruti has comfortably undercut its rivals in a segment where price matters more than most. With a price difference ranging anywhere between Rs 30,000 to Rs 40,000 from the Hyundai i20 and the Honda Jazz across all variants, the Baleno has made a good case for itself for the price-sensitive customer. 

But now, sources report that Maruti could be hiking prices of the Baleno after the Indian festive season, which is set to end soon. Although the Indian carmaker hasn’t specified exactly how much the prices would go up by, Partho Banerjee, Senior Vice President (NEXA Channel), Marketing & Sales said, “This is an introductory offer. We are going to, very soon, revise the prices. In fact, on a lighter note it is more of a Diwali gift to our Indian customers from Maruti Suzuki.”

The festive season in India usually sees customers flocking to showrooms to get their hands on purchases that they’ve been eyeing for the better part of the year. This is the reason consumer product manufacturers from various industries, from electronic gadgets to motorcycles, give out huge discounts and gifts during this season; to avail of the increased spending habits and momentary burst of better spending power. 

As for the product itself in question, the Baleno is smartly styled, spacious and about 100kg lighter than the Swift. The petrol engine in the Baleno is a very refined 1.2-litre VVT motor producing 85PS and 115Nm, offered with a 5-speed manual. It is also the first hatchback by Maruti Suzuki in India which comes with a CVT option. The diesel continues to be the tried and tested 1.3-litre DDiS 190 motor, good for 75PS and 190Nm. It is also one of the most efficient cars in its segment, with the petrol mill claiming a mileage of 21.4kmpl and the diesel boasting of being the best in the segment with a claimed 27.39kmpl. 

Source: Autocar India