The top-selling Suzuki Swift has topped new car sales charts in New Zealand for the second time this year.
A long-time leader in the supermini small car class, the Swift is the first small car to take an overall lead in new motor vehicle sales in the local market.
The popular front-wheel-drive hatchback was number one in model sales for November, outselling the Toyota Corolla and Ford Falcon, according to official Motor Industry Association statistics.
At the same time, the Swift is heading for the top position in the supermini class for the fourth consecutive year.
In November the Swift outsold the nearest supermini rival by more than two to one and, with just December sales to be counted, it is virtually impossible for the Suzuki to be beaten for the calendar year.
The fifth generation Swift has been Suzuki’s most successful passenger car model and a runaway success in many markets, including New Zealand, India and Denmark.
Recording above forecast sales in world markets, the European-inspired Swift is one of the great automotive success stories in recent years.
“Euro styling, outstanding driving dynamics and value for money have been factors in the strong appeal of the car,” said Tom Peck, General Manager of Marketing for Suzuki New Zealand.
Not only have buyers been attracted to the Swift’s styling, but also owner surveys reveal high ratings for the car’s performance, handling, low running costs and reliability.
Eiji Mochizuki, an executive with Suzuki’s minicar engineering division, said right from the beginning of the project to develop the Swift that it had to be a totally new kind of compact car.
“We set out to identify the kind of concept, body style and performance that would give us a compact car with a distinct Suzuki identity and genuine worldwide appeal,” said Mochizuki.
“The challenges were huge. We spent months in Europe working day and night on the styling and handling. And we even had to devise new systems for component development,” he said.
Veteran New Zealand motoring writer Allan Dick said the Swift was a remarkable little car with wide appeal which was a key to why it continued to be the biggest selling small car in New Zealand.
“But the Swift is more than just a pretty face with broad sex appeal - it’s also a darned good drive. I had forgotten how much until I took a 1.5 litre, five speed manual LTD for a brisk Saturday morning drive,” he said.
The car was fun to drive, delivered on performance and was delightful in every way, he said.
“The driving position is great, the dash is uncluttered, and all-round visibility is great. This is a car that fits you like a glove,” said Dick.
“And the quality of what you are looking at from within matches the pleasure the car delivers from the outside. The fit, finish and quality of the materials inside are all excellent.” he said.
Such has been the success of the Swift that it has spawned several limited edition models. Seven versions are available in New Zealand, ranging from the $18,500 1.5-litre XE five-door model to the extra lively $26,500 1.6-litre Sport manual that dominates the Junior World Rally Championship.
Swift has been a major contributor to rising Suzuki sales world wide. In Britain, where total new car sales were down 8.8 percent for the year ending November, Suzuki increased volume by 8.4 per cent and was one of the few motor franchises to increase volume.
Maruti Suzuki in India posted its highest ever monthly sales in November. It sold 87,800 vehicles for the month and exported 11,500 cars. Sales of new Suzuki automobiles in India rose 60 percent for the first eleven months of 2009.
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