News Release
State of Art Production Facility for New Generation Suzuki Alto
30 October 2008
The new highly efficient, low emission Suzuki Alto arriving in New Zealand in mid-2009 will be built in a state of the art production facility.
Built to high standards to meet demanding world markets, the all-new Alto is being manufactured in a modern, high tech factory in India.
This plant will produce Altos for all markets, including discerning European and Asian countries.
With a kerb weight of 855 kg, the lightweight 5-door hatchback Alto is the fifth and smallest member of Suzuki’s world strategic models.
Maruti Suzuki, the Indian arm of Suzuki, the largest car brand in the growing Indian car market, is manufacturing the car.
The company is producing 750,000 cars a year in India and expect this to increase to one million units by 2010.
“New Alto is the right car for the time, with its low running costs and excellent fuel economy,” said Tom Peck, General Manager of Marketing for Suzuki New Zealand Ltd.
“Independent reports from European journalists who have driven the new model confirm the Alto is also being built and finished to a high standard,” he said.
The new generation front-wheel-drive Suzuki leads a new wave of modern, world competitive Indian motor vehicles.
When the new model goes on sale in Britain next March it will have the lowest emissions of any petrol car.
In the combined fuel cycle, the thrifty Alto produces 103 grams/kilometre of CO2, or less than a Toyota Prius petrol/electric hybrid.
Coinciding with the commencement of new Alto production is a top-ranking place for Suzuki in customer satisfaction in India.
“This is further endorsement of Suzuki’s quality and commitment to high build quality and attention to detail,” said Tom Peck.
For the ninth consecutive year Suzuki has been named number one in the authoritative J.D. Power Asia Pacific India Customer Service index for 2008.
Suzuki was voted number one car company in terms of satisfaction, scoring 820 out of 1,000 points. In the process Suzuki beat Ford, Renault, Mitsubishi, Hyundai and Honda.
The service index determines problems experienced with service quality, user-friendly service and service advisor information.
The new Alto will be the smallest model in Suzuki’s New Zealand line-up, slotting neatly under the best-selling Swift range.
European motoring writers have already applauded the new model for its low running costs, slick and positive gear change, low noise levels and generous head and legroom front and rear.
The good-looking functional design is said to be “refreshingly back to basics” according to one prominent British journalist.
A lightweight, low friction three-cylinder one litre engine powers the new Alto, a power unit already used successfully in the Suzuki Splash.
It produces 50 kW of power and 90 Nm of torque, powering the new Alto to a top speed of 155 km/h.
In the combined fuel cycle, the new Alto 5-speed manual averages 4.5 litres/100 km (62.7 miles per gallon). A four-stage automatic transmission version will also be available.
European-inspired looks offer good aerodynamics with a drag coefficient of just 0.30 and a sense of style not often found in small cars.
“We are looking forward to launching this new contender on the New Zealand market,” said Tom Peck. “It will be an important car for Suzuki internationally.”
