New Delhi: After news of Toyota and Suzuki launching some new models in India breaks media headlines, the market has been following developments keenly, waiting to know about launch of its new model Vitara Brezza.
Just last week, we learned that the first of the shared models, the Toyota-badged Baleno, will be launched in the second half of 2019. Now, we can confirm the Toyota-badged Vitara Brezza will follow the launch of Toyota’s Baleno-but it will only be launched sometime between 2020 and 2021.
Speaking to Autocar India, N Raja, deputy managing director, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, said, “The Vitara Brezza is part of our future plans. The (Toyota-badged) Baleno is for this year; the Vitara Brezza is for next year or the year after. It’s yet to be decided.”
Toyota-badged Vitara Brezza to follow launch of Baleno in 2020-21:
As we’d reported earlier, the model-sharing exercise between Toyota and Suzuki will involve more than just plain badge-engineering. Toyota’s version of the Vitara Brezza will likely feature a number of soft part changes, and could get a new grille, redesigned bumpers and lights to give it a distinct identity.
Raja, however, confirmed changes will be kept to a minimum. The reason is simple-any further differentiation in the products-involving sheet metal changes-would require higher investment and would drive up costs, something Toyota wants to keep in control. Instead, the company’s plan is to add value to the car-buying experience, and tap into its existing customer base and ensure they stay within the Toyota fold.
Cosmetic changes for the exteriors and interiors aside, under the skin, Toyota’s version of the Vitara Brezza will be identical to the Maruti Suzuki model and will share its engines and gearboxes.
The Vitara Brezza will get Maruti Suzuki’s new, developed in-house 1.5-litre diesel engine before the BS VI norms come into effect, and so, Toyota’s version of the Vitara Brezza is also likely to have the same engine.
