re: Suzuki's New Premium Hatchback Baleno Coming Up!Now Launched
I was looking through various variants of the many car models Maruti Suzuki is selling in India and it's amazing how much a value for money product the ciaz is! In comparison, the swift dzire for example feels less VFM in it's segment!
Take the case of Ciaz VDi (O) and City E Diesel. Both have ABS with EBD, but the Ciaz offers more than the City:
Co-driver airbag
Speed Sensing Door Lock
Rear AC vents
Co-Driver vanity mirror
Driver Armrest
Rear Armrest
Rear cup holders
Body Coloured ORVMs
Turn Indicators on ORVM
Rear Defogger
Body coloured Exterior Door Handles
Chrome Interior Door Handles
Rear door pockets
Projector headlamps
Rear cabin lamp
2-din music system with 6 speakers and USB, Aux,MP3,CD
After all this, this Ciaz variant is priced at an amazing 44 thousand lower than the City variant ! Ok, the hydrid subsidy helps the Ciaz but that would still be a maximum of 10 thousand for this model. So still 34 thousand lower than the City! I'm amazed how Maruti is able to do this with the Ciaz. It certainly is not able to do this with the Dzire and the Amaze.
So now coming to the pricing of Baleno, the entry level sigma model differentiates itself from the base models of competition by having dual airbags and ABS with EBD.
Looking at Maruti's pricing of airbags and ABS on other models, it again differs a lot.
On the
Ciaz VDi (O),
1 extra airbag and ABS with EBD costs only
15 thousand more than the VDi variant.
On the
stingray VXi (O),
1 airbag and ABS with EBD costs
29 thousand.
On the
Ertiga VXi ABS, the added
ABS with EBD and BA over the VXi model costs only
7 thousand.
So now i think we can assume Baleno's standard ABS with EBD and airbags in line with Ciaz's.
Looking at the Elite i20 and Jazz, their base petrol models are priced at 5.34 and 5.35 lakhs respectively. Comparing top of the line diesel models, i20 Asta (O) vs Jazz VX, its 8.28 and 8.63 lakhs respectively. The Jazz V is a whole 49 thousand cheaper than VX ,at 8.14 lakhs, with the exclusion of magic seats and touchscreen infotainment system.
Also looking at the Swift and Dzire, Swift ranges 4.65 - 7.29 lakhs and Dzire ranges 5.16 - 7.91 lakhs. People would say these two cars are the biggest threat for the Baleno, but as Maruti officials put it, as long as customers stay within the Maruti family, there don't bother. Simply take it, if Baleno halves the sales of Dzire after launch Maruti would simply lower the production of Dzire and produce the Baleno in required quantities, right ? So Maruti does not stand to lose. So i think they will not price the Baleno higher up just to differentiate it from Dzire.
Finally coming to Baleno price speculation, the Dzire is priced at par with the competition unlike the Ciaz which is priced much lower than competition! Talking about the Nexa product S-Cross it doesn't really have head on competitors as it is a unique offering, though it is compared with the Ecosport and even the Duster and Creta.
Though Maruti is calling the Baleno premium and bringing it via Nexa showrooms i feel it is going to be priced to beat the i20 and Jazz. Even adding 20 thousand for airbags and ABS over the competition would give us a starting price of 5.55 lakhs.
But at new launch and for this season, i'm predicting the starting price at
5.29 lakhs introductory and the range to top out at 8.19 lakhs!
![Big Smile [:D] [:D]](https://www.theautomotiveindia.com/forums/images/smilies/Big%20Smile.gif)
Yes, this particular model you see here, the Maruti Baleno Sigma variant, will be available from October 26th at Nexa showrooms at 5.29 lakhs ex-showroom Delhi, according to me!
![Big Smile [:D] [:D]](https://www.theautomotiveindia.com/forums/images/smilies/Big%20Smile.gif)
Picture Source: GaadiWaadi