The Hindu Business Line : Maruti plans to roll out new version of Baleno

MARUTI Udyog Ltd is set to roll out a new version of its mid-size sedan Baleno in the current week. The new Baleno will come with a few added features and modifications as well as a higher price tag.

According to dealer sources, the Vxi (higher end) variant will come with a climate control feature, wider tyres, a redesigned rear lamp and an MP3 player.

The model would cost around Rs 12,000 more. The ex-showroom (Delhi) price of the current Vxi model is about Rs 6.61 lakh. Meanwhile, the lone change in the base variant (Lxi) of the Baleno would be the redesigned rear lamps. The price of the Lxi variant (which comes with a price tag of Rs 5.79 lakh ex-showroom Delhi) would be unchanged.

Market analysts point out that modifications in the Baleno, which is facing stiff competition, were long overdue, though the current changes may not be enough to ward off competition from the likes of the Honda City.

Maruti sold about 3,709 units of the Baleno in the April-September 2005 period, an increase of 36 per cent as compared to 2,730 units in the same period last year. The company had sold 8,263 units of the Baleno in the last fiscal.

Maruti's share price closed at Rs 559.35 today, down 2.38 per cent as compared to Monday's closing on the Bombay Stock Exchange. The company's stock touched an intra-day high of Rs 580.70. The 52-week high for the share is Rs 598.10.

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