Maruti’s premium hatchback, the Baleno, achieved a significant milestone in November 2024 by becoming the number-one car in India.
With 16,293 units sold last month, it marked a strong comeback in the automobile market.
One unique feature of Maruti Suzuki’s sales is its association with the Canteen Stores Department (CSD), which caters to soldiers of the Indian Armed Forces.
Through CSD, soldiers can purchase cars at significantly lower prices, as only 14% GST is charged instead of the usual 28% GST.
This results in substantial tax savings. For instance, the base Sigma variant of the Baleno starts at ₹5.90 lakh at CSD, compared to its ex-showroom price of ₹6.66 lakh—a saving of ₹76,000 on the base variant alone.
Understanding the CSD and Its Benefits
The Canteen Stores Department (CSD) is a government-owned enterprise under the Ministry of Defence.
It operates 34 depots across India in cities like Ahmedabad, Delhi, Jaipur, and Mumbai.
CSD provides essential goods, medical items, and even cars at discounted rates to eligible customers, including:
1) Serving and retired armed forces personnel
2) Widows of military personnel
3) Ex-servicemen and defense civilians
This program ensures affordable pricing for a select section of the Indian population.
Maruti Baleno: Civil vs. CSD Prices
Here’s a detailed comparison of the CSD prices and ex-showroom prices for various Baleno variants:
| Variant | CSD Price | Showroom Price | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sigma | ₹5.90 lakh | ₹6.66 lakh | ₹76,000 |
| Delta | ₹6.60 lakh | ₹7.50 lakh | ₹90,000 |
| Zeta | ₹7.40 lakh | ₹8.43 lakh | ₹1.03 lakh |
| Alpha | ₹8.20 lakh | ₹9.38 lakh | ₹1.18 lakh |
| Delta AMT | ₹7.15 lakh | ₹7.95 lakh | ₹80,000 |
| Zeta AMT | ₹7.95 lakh | ₹8.88 lakh | ₹93,000 |
| Alpha AMT | ₹8.75 lakh | ₹9.83 lakh | ₹1.08 lakh |
For instance, the Alpha variant of the Baleno costs ₹8.20 lakh through CSD, compared to ₹9.38 lakh in the showroom, saving buyers ₹1.18 lakh.
All seven variants of the Baleno available through CSD offer significant tax savings.
Baleno Features and Specifications
The Maruti Baleno boasts a 1.2-liter, four-cylinder K12N petrol engine, delivering 83 bhp of power.
An additional option is the 1.2-liter DualJet petrol engine, which produces 90 bhp. It comes with both manual and automatic transmission options.
The CNG variant features a 1.2-liter DualJet petrol engine that generates 78 ps of power and 99 nm of peak torque.
Dimensions
Length: 3990 mm
Width: 1745 mm
Height: 1500 mm
Wheelbase: 2520 mm
Newly added features include redesigned AC vents and a 9-inch SmartPlay Pro Plus infotainment system, which supports wireless Android Auto
and Apple CarPlay. The premium hatchback also offers a 360-degree camera.
Advanced Safety Features
For safety, the Baleno is equipped with:
6 airbags
Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
Hill-start assist
360-degree camera
ABS with EBD
ISOFIX child seat anchorage
Reversing camera
Rear parking sensors
