Maruti Suzuki launches new Baleno priced at Rs 6.35 lakh

CHENNAI: Car market leader Maruti Suzuki reiterated its focus on the compact car segment on Wednesday while launching its new

Baleno

priced at Rs 6.35 lakh.

Maruti MD

Kenichi Ayukawa said, “It is the responsibility of the market leader to provide wheels to their dreams. For mass motorization of India, a compact car is an ideal solution.”

The compact focus comes on the heels of an impressive booking lineup. “Even today we have about 2.7 lakh bookings and we are making all efforts to fulfill this demand at the earliest,” Ayukawa said.

Maruti has traditionally been very strong in the compact car segment and its reiteration comes in the wake of the sharp increase in demand for SUVs in India. However, said Ayukawa, for the two wheeler upgraders, the compact is still the best bet.

“Many of us have 2-wheelers and many aspire for a car -- when we consider the space availability on roads, parking lots and houses, a compact car, is a more sustainable solution for society,” Ayukawa said.

He however added that a “market leader has to be present in all segments.”

And as a traditional car market leader in India, he added, Maruti will continue to focus on the compact segment.

“Given our context, we have to provide products in compact car space at all price points.” Maruti and its vendor partners have invested about Rs 1150 crore towards the development of the new model, he added.