Made in India Baleno in Japan
Made in India Baleno in JapanIndianautosblog

Maruti Suzuki commenced exports of Baleno hatchback from January this year. The hatchback has become top exported car of the manufacturer in February itself. The Indo-Japanese company has exported 3,400 units of the Baleno to the foreign markets.

According to a report in Autocar professional, the export number of the Baleno is miles ahead compared to those of the Alto and the Swift. Maruti Suzuki exported 1,645 units of the Alto and 1,425 units of the Swift in February. The company exported first lot of 1,800 units of the Baleno to its partner's home land, Japan, in January. Maruti Suzuki also started export of the Baleno to Germany, Italy, Belgium, Poland, Slovenia and Spain in February. 

The car-maker already announced the Baleno will be exported to over 100 countries with initial target of 5,000-6,000 units a month. India will be the only manufacturing hub of the Baleno. Apart from the countries already mentioned, Maruti would export the car to France, the Netherlands and Denmark. Additionally, the premium hatchback will also be sold in Latin American countries, such as Chile, Paraguay and Colombia. 

The export specific model features 1.0-litre Boosterjet engine which develops 110bhp and 170Nm of torque and a 1.2-litre Dualjet engine. The engines are being mated to five-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmissions. 

The hatchback was launched in the domestic market in October 2015 and it received over one lakh booking recently. India-spec model is powered by a 1.2-litre K-Series petrol engine tuned to develop 83bhp and 115Nm of torque, while the 1.3-litre DDiS diesel mill churns out 74bhp and 190Nm of torque.