For the first time in history, Suzuki will import cars to Japan from its alliance partner Maruti Suzuki in India. The first car to be exported to Suzuki's home country will be the newly launched Baleno hatchback.

"For the first time Japan will import cars from India and Maruti will manufacture it", said Prime Minister Narendra Modi while addressing the India-Japan Business Leaders Forum in New Delhi on Saturday. "India and Japan should move ahead together, not just in the sphere of high-speed trains, but also for "high-speed growth" he added, reports the Economic Times.

The import will begin in January 2016 and the company is expecting to export 20,000 to 30,000 units in a year, informed R C Bhargava, chairman of Maruti Suzuki.

Maruti Suzuki have previously confirmed the Maruti Suzuki Baleno will be exported to over 100 countries and India will be the manufacturing hub. Apart from Japan, Baleno will be exported to Italy, France, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark and Spain. The premium hatchback will also be sold in Latin American countries such as Chile, Paraguay and Colombia.

Depending on the country, there will be changes in the hatchback. The European spec will get a 1.0-litre Boosterjet turbo-petrol engine which is not part of the Baleno engine line-up in India. Both left-hand drive and right-hand drive Balenos will be exported from the country, depending on the importing country's preferences.

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