Toyota’s version of the Maruti Suzuki Ciaz is expected to boost the brand’s sales fortunes in the mid-size sedan segment
As you might have already got to know by now, Suzuki and Toyota have joined hands to collaborate at many levels, which include the development of low-cost hybrid powertrains and supply of some of their vehicles to each other. One such vehicle will be the Maruti Ciaz, which will be sold by Toyota after re-badging.
As reflected by our rendering, the Toyota-badged version of the Maruti Ciaz will look almost like the donor model. The only visual difference will be due to new badges and a new set of alloy wheels. The interior might also get some changes in the form of new upholstery and trim.
Interestingly, Toyota already has a C2-segment contender in the form of the Yaris. However, sales of the Yaris have been dismal, at best. Last month, the Yaris found only 350 buyers, while the Ciaz sold more than 3,084 units. From this, it is clear that the Ciaz enjoys much higher popularity than the Yaris.
Other than the re-badged Ciaz, Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) plans to even sell a rebadged Maruti Vitara Brezza, which will be manufactured at the company’s Bidadi-based facility in Karnataka. Other than this, TKM will even sell a re-badged Maruti Baleno, which will become the first Toyota-badged Maruti car to go on sale.
On the other hand, by 2021, Toyota will start supplying Corolla Altis to Maruti Suzuki, which will help the carmaker enter the D1-segment. This will help the company once again sell a D1-segment sedan, after the discontinuation of the Kizashi in 2012.
Finally, Suzuki Motor Corporation will be even supplying Toyota with low-displacement motors in exchange for hybrid systems. These hybrid powerplants will be used to power some of the company’s small cars in the future.