Rebadged Maruti Suzuki Ertiga Introduced In South Africa As Toyota Rumion | V3Cars

12 October 2021
By Mahesh Yadav
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Toyota has introduced the Rumion MPV in South Africa. This is a rebadged Maruti Suzuki Ertiga. This is the 4th rebadged Maruti Suzuki car after the Glanza, Urban Cruiser and Belta. Although the Belta and Rumion are not available in India. Besides the new Rumion, Toyota are also selling the Urban Cruiser, Starlet (rebadged Baleno) in the South African market. The Belta (rebadged Ciaz) may also be introduced soon in some foreign markets.

The Rumion retains the same 1.5-litre hybrid petrol engine. It also gets the same 5-speed manual and 4-speed torque converter automatic transmission options. Naturally, power and torque output also remains identical to the Ertiga’s at 105PS and 138Nm.

Just like the Baleno to Glanza and Vitara Brezza to Urban Cruiser, this transformation is also rebadge done to perfection. It literally has only different badges and nothing else. While we see a Maruti Suzuki car with a Toyota badge, the two Japanese carmakers see greater sales potential.

With this partnership, Maruti Suzuki are able to sell more of their cars and expand their sales and service footprint. It’s not in vain for Toyota either. They get some customers who are willing to buy the same car from a Toyota dealer but not Maruti Suzuki. These customers are looking for Toyota’s trust and hoping for a smooth ownership experience. With customers who show up on Toyota’s dealerships, the carmaker also gets a chance to showcase other cars in their portfolio. If the dealer manages to upsell a different Toyota car, then that’s an instant win. Even if they don’t, at least a visit to the dealership and a quick experience with the Innova Crysta, Fortuner, or Camry creates a positive brand perception in the customer’s mind about Toyota.