In March 2016, the Maruti Baleno clocked 6236 units in India which is the lowest ever monthly figure since its launch. That’s a decline of 41% compared to December 2015’s figure of 10,572 units.
Ever since Maruti Baleno’s export operations to Japan and Europe commenced in January this year, the automaker has been finding it difficult to cope up with the demand in the domestic markets. Because of the production constraint, waiting period for the hatchback in some cities stretches to up to 6 months. The company’s Manesar plant is currently running at full capacity and it is difficult for the manufacturer to increase the production rate of the Baleno.
In order to increase the production, the company will need to cut down the production of other models. There is no solution for this issue, and the Baleno’s waiting period is likely to remain high. The main reason behind this huge waiting period is that Baleno is being exported to multiple countries with India being the only supplier.
In the last three consecutive months, the Hyundai Elite i20 outsold the Baleno by a certain margin, despite the Baleno receiving over 1,00,000 pre-orders in a short amount of time. The company is adopting measures to increase the capacity but the demand continues to outrun the supply. Maruti’s inability to put up with the demand-supply gap is helping the Baleno’s primary rival, the Hyundai Elite i20 which is available with a much shorter waiting period of 15-20 days. The volumes of the Elite i20 has been growing steadily and this is enabling it to retain its market share of 35%.
The Maruti Baleno was launched at a highly competitive price of Rs. 4.99 lakhs. Since then Maruti has raised the prices, and it ranges between Rs. 5.15 lakhs – Rs. 8.32 lakhs. Maruti Suzuki announced its concept Ignis along with a sportier Baleno RS model at the Delhi Auto Expo 2016. The Baleno RS will be powered by a 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine that is capable of producing 110 BHP of power and 175 Nm of torque.
Power will be transmitted to the front wheels via a five-speed manual gearbox. Both the models will be launched during the festival season of 2016. The car maker also displayed the performance of both the models at this year’s automobile exhibition. The Baleno will also be produced at Maruti’s forthcoming plant in Gujarat, although the plant’s operation will commence in mid 2017.
Maruti Baleno Waiting Period
– Maruti has been finding it difficult to cope up with the demand in the domestic markets
– Baleno is being exported to multiple countries with India being the only supplier
– The company’s Manesar plant is currently running at full capacity
– Hyundai Elite i20 is available with a much shorter waiting period of 15-20 days
