Maruti Suzuki Baleno production to be increased to reduce waiting period

The company will also expand its Nexa network to 250 from the current 127 by the end of ongoing financial year.

Maruti Suzuki, the country's largest car-maker, will soon ramp up the production of its much-acclaimed Baleno premium hatchback to reduce the waiting period. The Baleno currently has over six months waiting period in the country with outstanding bookings of 45,000.

Maruti on Tuesday said that the production of the Baleno will be increased to meet the rising demand. The demand had already prompted Maruti to double the production of the Baleno to 12,000 per month. The Baleno is the company's second model to be sold through the Nexa premium dealership chain after the S-Cross premium crossover. Maruti also said that the company will expand its Nexa network to 250 from the current 127 by the end of ongoing financial year. Maruti's upcoming models, the Ignis and the Baleno Rs, will also join Nexa line-up. The company is expected to roll out the said model during the festive season this year.

"We are making all possible efforts to de-bottleneck the lines and enhance production (of Baleno)," Press Trust of India quoted RS Kalsi, executive director, Maruti Suzuki as saying.

Maruti will also be producing the Baleno at its new plant in Gujarat when it starts functioning in 2017. The company will also be rolling out the Ignis and the next-gen Swift from this plant.

Launched in October, the Baleno, which rivals Hyundai Elite i20 and Honda Jazz, is offered in four trims and seven body shades. Under the hood, Maruti Baleno includes a 1.2-litre K-Series petrol engine and a 1.3-litre DDiS diesel engine. While the petrol engine is tuned to develop 83bhp and 115Nm of torque, the diesel mill churns out 74bhp and 190Nm of torque.