Toyota and Maruti Suzuki have joined hands to mutually benefit from this alliance. While Maruti Suzuki is expected to gain hybrid tech from Toyota, Toyota will use badge engineered Maruti Suzuki cars for the lower segment. Toyota has failed to leave a mark in the mass market hatchback space, and they have openly accepted it. Now, in 2019, Toyota will launch their reworked version of the Baleno hatchback, which has been a top seller for Maruti Suzuki.
The Baleno is a premium hatchback, and Maruti Suzuki retails it in the range of INR 6 – 9 lakh in both petrol and diesel trims. The Toyota version of the Baleno could be priced at a premium, and will have the front and rear profile heavily reworked, but the side profile will be a giveaway that this is a Baleno under the skin.
Toyota is apparently adding some unique features to the hatchback, to make it different compared to the Maruti Suzuki Baleno sold in Nexa showrooms. In due course of time, Toyota will also have a reworked Vitara Brezza in their showrooms which the Nexa outlets will sell a reworked Corolla sedan.
What do you think? Will people buy the Toyota version of the Baleno? Or just get the upcoming Baleno facelift from Maruti Suzuki?