India’s largest carmaker Maruti Suzuki today announced that its hugely popular hatchback Baleno has crossed sales of one lakh units in the country. Besides, the company has exported 33,800 units to Japan and some European countries.
Launched in October 2015, the hatchback generated much interest among car buyers, and has marked its entry into the list of Top-10-selling passenger vehicles within a month of launch. In fact, the car has even edged ahead of key rival, the Hyundai i20 in December sales to become the best-selling premium hatchback. However, it hasn’t been able to repeat the feat since.
Moreover, the Baleno is Nexa’s most successful model, and has proven to be a volume seller in the premium segment, since the S-cross met with a tepid response.
The popularity of the hatch hasn’t dimmed despite nearly three subsequent hikes in its price – in January 2016 by up to Rs 12,000 followed by another one in March of up to Rs 16,699 and the latest hike in August was by Rs 10,000 (all prices, ex-showroom, Delhi).
Maruti is now gearing up to launch a sportier Baleno RS, powered by a 111hp, 1.0-litre, three-cylinder Boosterjet turbo-petrol, in a bid to expand the car’s appeal.
Rivan RS 
Viraaj Bhatnagar
Uday Singh
Suraj Viswanathan
