As is already common knowledge by this point, Toyota’s re-badged version of Maruti Suzuki Baleno will be known as Glanza in the Indian market. Now there are reports stating that the largest automaker of India has started dispatching the rebadged version to Japanese automaker. There are reports that the company has already dispatched more than 350 units of the premium hatchback to the Japanese automaker. These units will likely be used for display and promotion purposes. The Japanese automaker Toyota will launch the Glanza premium hatchback next month and the sales of the same will also begin after the launch. As of now, the dealerships of the company have already started the bookings for the upcoming Glanza premium hatchback.
As was the speculation earlier, the Japanese automaker will sell the car in two variants that will be very similar to the top two variants of the Maruti Baleno. The variants by Toyota will likely be badged as J and V variants. The J variant will be lower priced one and the V model will command a higher price tag. The J variant will likely be an altered version of Zeta variant of the Baleno line-up and the V will be an altered version of Alpha trim. The automaker will take the petrol route with the upcoming Glanza and has no plans to introduce a diesel variant even in the upcoming future. The engine that will likely be offered with the upcoming Glanza will be a 1.2L 4 cylinder engine unit. Paired to the engine will be two transmission options, a 5 speed manual and a CVT automatic.
Toyota will not go the mass market way with their upcoming Glanza and will try to position it as a more premium offering in the segment with the badge of Toyota also adding to the reliability of the product. New reports on the internet suggest that the company may offer a warranty of 3 years/1 lakh kms on the latest Toyota Glanza. The extended warranty program will take the period up to 5 years. Toyota also offers a 7-year Toyota Timeless warranty on their cars in India, however it is not confirmed whether Glanza will also come with the same. As far as the changes on Glanza are concerned, they are supposed to be minor and stylistic like changes on the grille and badging change. The interiors too will not be that different with similar, if not identical, set of features on offer.
The two Japanese companies are strengthening their ties in India under the new partnership and the same deal will see Toyota making the Vitara Brezza for Maruti and also receiving it for badge-engineering. Not just this, Toyota will also get the Ertiga and Ciaz for the badge-engineering process. In turn, Maruti Suzuki will get Toyota’s Corolla Altis sedan and the latter will also supply India’s largest car maker with hybrid technology. This will be a plug-in hybrid setup just like the one seen on Toyota Camry in India. The two Japanese companies are looking at major cost cutting with this move as they expand their line-up in India, thereby adding to the profits from sales.