News Release
Changing Landscape Favours Small Cars in New Zealand
23 September 2009
The volatility of fuel pricing has been a major factor in altering the automotive sales landscape in New Zealand, according to Suzuki.
“We all know the large car is no longer the staple diet of customers, but a closer look at trends of the past seven years reveals just how dramatically the New Zealand market has changed,” said Gary Collins, Automobile Sales Manager for Suzuki New Zealand.
“Small cars are now the biggest selling vehicles in the country. Customers are looking for smaller cars that offer better fuel economy and are cheaper to run,” he said.
Cars need to be easy on the budget and on the environment. Attitudes are changing and environmental perception is no longer the domain of young radicals.
“The economic planets are aligning to create the ideal time to launch a car offering quality, safety, value and, most importantly, outstanding fuel economy and lower emissions,” said Bill Grice, Chief Executive Officer of Suzuki New Zealand.
“The new Suzuki Alto is an exciting small car that seems perfectly conceived for the world as it is today,” said Grice. “It is economical, stylish and built on sustainable manufacturing principles,” he said at the New Zealand launching of the latest generation Alto.
The Alto has international sales of more than ten million units and a New Zealand history spanning three decades.
Alto - a Latin word which when translated into Japanese means “to give choice” - led the previous boom in mini-car sales, turning that segment into the biggest in the Japanese market.
Now, in tune with today’s market demands, the new seventh version arrives as the safest, best equipped and most advanced model yet.
Designed in Japan, developed in India where it is manufactured, and refined in extensive road testing on European roads, the new Alto is a truly international car.
The first Alto was responsible for providing affordable motoring to the masses and was a key factor in Suzuki establishing itself as a leading world producer of small cars.
“The latest generation Alto offers the same benefits but shifts its focus by allowing Suzuki customers to minimize their carbon footprint,” said Gary Collins.
In keeping with Suzuki’s strict reuse, recycle and recovery philosophy, 85 per cent of the sub-light car’s components are recyclable and 95 per cent are recoverable.
Alto has also been made free from all environmentally hazardous substances, and is manufactured by Maruti Suzuki in India in one of the cleanest car factories in the world.
Maruti Suzuki has been producing cars since 1983, and every second new car sold in India is a Suzuki.
Maruti Suzuki has ranked number one in India’s J.D. Power Customer Satisfaction survey for nine consecutive years and is the market leader in one of the fastest growing automotive markets in the world.
When Maruti began making Suzuki’s in India 26 years ago only the carpets, battery and battery tray were made in India. Today almost all the Alto components are sourced in India.
Production staff undertake thorough training at the Suzuki plants in Japan. Attention to detail resulted in the Maruti plant being named one of Japan’s top two overseas subsidiaries by leading Japanese media company Nikkei.
Suzuki New Zealand says while the mini-car class in New Zealand is relatively small; the broader appeal of the new Alto will attract a wider range of buyers.
“Currently, 87 per cent of sub-1.3 litre vehicles sold to private buyers are to people aged over 40 years,” said Collins. “As many 40 to 59 year olds purchase these models as 60-plus.”
“This highlights that more middle aged customers are identifying the benefits of downsizing their vehicle,” he said.
“Now customers do not need to pay the excessive prices for petrol/electric hybrids in order to achieve excellent fuel economy.
“In all respects Alto ticks the right boxes and we can rightly claim also is creating a market of its own,” said Collins.
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