Maruti Suzuki Baleno takes Modi’s ‘Make in India’ campaign to new heights: Here’s how

Maruti Suzuki Baleno is one of the few automotive products that have promoted PM Modi’s make-in-India campaign in a big way. The success of the car in the Indian domestic market has for the first time over shadowed the responses it has received in its global and export markets. Maruti Suzuki Baleno is also the first car to be exported to Suzuki’s home country of Japan that underlines the trust and importance the parent company has in Maruti Suzuki. In fact in FY 2016-17, the Indian subsidy of Suzuki Motor Corp contributed to over 51% of Suzuki’s global production and about 53.65% to its global sales. In a statement Suzuki had mentioned that "Global production volume exceeded three million units for the first time in two years and became the highest ever owing to increase in both Japan and overseas production."

Maruti Suzuki Baleno hatch is the most sold product from the company’s premium NEXA dealership channel and the car still continues decent waiting period even after two years of launch. Top Indian auto component makers have been involved in the production of the car and now the Baleno is manufactured both at Gujarat and Manesar plants. Parts like the infotainment headunit system and navigation maps are supplied by MAPMYINDIA, Chassis components comes from ZFIndia. Bosch India , Hella, Brakes India, Minda Group, Mageneti Mareli and many other top India based components manufactures supply components to Maruti Suzuki for Baleno.

In August 2017, Maruti Suzuki Baleno recorded total domestic sales of 17,190 units and is the third most sold car in the country. The company also introduced the CVT transmission on the Baleno Alpha variant in July earlier this year.

Seeing the success of the Baleno and ceasing an opportunity Maruti Suzuki also introduced the Baleno RS sporty variant of the hatch and the car is an all new vehicle with new engine, modified chassis and reworked suspension all from its local suppliers. The company also debuted the 1.0L boosterjet engine with Maruti Suzuki Baleno RS which was all locally engineered and manufactured.

Within 20 months of its launch Maruti Suzuki Baleno crossed the milestone of two-lakh unit sales in the Indian market. Other than Japan the Baleno is exported to over 100 countries. The country has exported over 70,000 units to its export markets including Japan, Australia, New Zealand, European and Latin American countries.