Maruti Suzuki expects the extended waiting period issue for popular models such the Vitara Brezza and the Baleno to be resolved soon once the car maker's Gujarat plant starts production. In an interview to ET Auto, RC Bhargava, Chairman of Maruti Suzuki, said that solving waiting list period is expected during the financial year 2016-17 as the manufacturing facility in Gujarat will become operational by then.
He also added that the development at the new Gujarat facility on schedule and the start of production can be expected early next year. It was reported that the key product from the Gujarat plant will be the Baleno as the company plans to export the hatchback to over 100 foreign markets from India. The Vitara Brezza's exports can also be expected once the production begins at the Gujarat facility.
The Vitara Brezza currently commands waiting period of up to nine months, depending on the variant. The most-in-demand variant is the top-spec ZDi+ variant. Maruti Suzuki is yet to deliver over 50,000 units of the Vitara Brezza to the customers. Despite entering late to the compact SUV space, Maruti Suzuki product took the segment by storm. It is the best selling SUV in India currently registering over 7,200 unit sales in May.
On the other hand, the Baleno, which was launched in October 2015, crossed one lakh bookings threshold in March. The premium hatchback still commands six months waiting period; 45,000 bookings yet to be served. Maruti Suzuki sold 10,004 units of the Baleno in May.
