Toyota Baleno and Vitara Brezza India launch in 2019, Maruti to launch rebadged version of Corolla.
Toyota and Suzuki have concluded a basic agreement towards the mutual supply of hybrid and other vehicles between the two companies for Indian passenger car market. Maruti will supply the Baleno premium hatchback and the Vitara Brezza sub-compact SUV to Toyota while Toyota will supply the Corolla sedan to Maruti. The first of the shared models is expected to be launched in the second quarter of 2019.
Details such as the supply start schedule, number of supplied units, vehicle specifications and supply pricing will be considered at a later date. The news is that neither Toyota nor Maruti will just sell rebadged versions of the Baleno, Brezza and Corolla respectively but all are likely to feature significant changes in terms of styling. Expect distinctive looking bumpers, grill and lights to bring the products in line with the respective automaker’s design language.
However, these cars will be identical under the skin sharing both the engines and transmissions. Later down the line, these cars are expected to gain some form of hybridisation as part of the Toyota Suzuki partnership in that field. The product sharing agreement will be a win-win situation for both the carmakers as the rebadged Baleno and Brezza will help Toyota compete in the premium hatchback and compact SUV segments thereby getting some crucial volumes while the rebadged Corolla will help Maruti to expand its premium portfolio.
Toyota Baleno, Vitara Brezza
– Toyota Baleno and Vitara Brezza India launch in 2019
– Likely to get a redesigned face with new headlights, bumpers and grill
– No changes to the sheet metal
– Products will share the engines and transmissions
