India-made Maruti Fronx Set for Launch in Japan
The Maruti Fronx, manufactured in India, is making its way back to its roots—Japan. The first shipment of these cars, produced at Maruti Suzuki's Gujarat plant, has been sent off to Japan, where it will be launched by the end of August. India has become the global production hub for the Fronx, catering to both right-hand and left-hand drive markets, alongside meeting strong domestic demand since its launch in early FY24.
While the Japanese version of the Fronx retains the same interior and exterior design as the Indian model, the significant difference lies in the engine. The Japanese-spec Fronx is powered by a 1.5-litre petrol engine, which is the same engine found in Indian models like the Ertiga and Brezza. This engine delivers 103 bhp and 138 Nm of torque. Unlike India, which offers both a five-speed manual and a six-speed torque converter automatic transmission, Japan will only receive the automatic variant. Additionally, Japanese buyers will have the choice between front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) configurations.
Suzuki's export of the Fronx to Japan follows a trend set by the Baleno, which has been exported from India to Japan since 2016. The same 1.5-litre engine variant of the Fronx being launched in Japan is also sold in global markets, including Gulf countries and South Africa. This highlights India's pivotal role in Suzuki's global strategy, with the Fronx emerging as a key export model.
The launch of the India-made Maruti Fronx in Japan marks a significant milestone for Maruti Suzuki. With its strong domestic and international appeal, the Fronx continues to strengthen India's position as a global manufacturing hub for the automaker. As the Japanese market gets ready to welcome the Fronx, it will be interesting to see how this Indo-Japanese crossover performs in its home market.
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