Maruti Vitara Brezza, Baleno prices hiked

The country’s top-selling carmaker Maruti Suzuki has announced an increase in prices of the Vitara Brezza and the Baleno by up to Rs 20,000 and Rs 10,000 respectively. Additionally, the automaker has also hiked prices of select models across its portfolio in the range of Rs 1,500-5,000 (all prices, ex-showroom Delhi), according to a company statement. The price increase has been effective since August 1, 2016.

While it is the first price hike for the Vitara Brezza, it is the third one for the Baleno since its launch. The premium hatch saw an increase in its asking price in January 2016 by up to Rs 12,000 followed by another price hike of up to Rs 16,699 (ex-showroom, Delhi) in March following the decision by the government in the Union Budget 2016 to levy additional cess on passenger vehicles.

The carmaker registered its highest ever sales in a month in the domestic market in July, selling a total of 1,25,778 units, notching growth of 13.9 percent over sales a year ago (June 2015: 110,405), thanks to an upbeat demand for the Vitara Brezza and Baleno.

Maruti has dispatched 27,261 units of the Brezza since its launch till June 2016, while the Baleno has sold a total of 71,230 units. In fact, the hatchback has been in the Top 10 best-selling passenger vehicles since the past four months close on the heels of key rival and segment leader Hyundai i20.

The company’s model portfolio in India starts from the Alto 800 costing Rs 2.45 lakh for the cheapest variant and goes right up to the S-cross costing 12.03 lakh for the top-spec model, (both prices, ex showroom, Delhi).