Toyota is set to launch the Belta C-segment sedan, essentially a rebadged Maruti Suzuki Ciaz, in August this year.
Ever since Toyota entered the rebadging business, its sales have risen considerably. In April 2021, of the 9621 units the manufacturer sold in India, 4297 units were contributed by the Glanza and Urban Cruiser combined.
With the venture proving to be successful thus far, Toyota has decided to sell a rebadged version of the Maruti Ciaz in India as well, in order to further improve its business here.
Competing in the C-segment sedan class, the Maruti Ciaz has been consistently behind the best-selling Honda City and the Verna from Hyundai.
Its April 2021 sales figure of 1567 units could seem trivial, especially when compared with other Maruti products in the same price bracket which fetch more sales.
However, in comparison to the 285 units of the Yaris that Toyota managed to sell last month, the Ciaz, arguably, did better, which provides a strong case for launching the Belta.
As things stand, production of the Yaris has already been stopped and the Toyota Belta launch will happen while dealers still have stock of the Japanese sales dud.
Unlike the Urban Cruiser which received a modified “face” to differentiate it from the Maruti Vitara Brezza, the Toyota Belta is likely to entirely resemble the Maruti Ciaz, save for the manufacturer logo and badges.
It will also come with the same powertrain options, but, Toyota will price it differently and likely offer a better warranty package to boot.
Come 2022, Toyota is expected to use the Yaris’ assembly line to manufacture its and Maruti’s Hyundai Creta rival which are being jointly developed by the 2 Japanese firms.
Source – Moneycontrol.com