The new Suzuki Splash reflects the growing globalisation and widespread production of the Suzuki Motor Corporation.
While most Suzuki motor vehicles for our market are sourced from Japan, the Splash is the first European built Suzuki to be sold in New Zealand.
“The Splash is a new sister for the best-selling Suzuki Swift, fitting neatly above our smaller Alto five-door hatchback and below the larger engined Swift,” said Tom Peck, General Manager of Marketing for Suzuki New Zealand. “At the same time, the model gives Suzuki an even broader range of compact models.”
“This is a spacious supermini for people who need a taller body style, slightly higher seating position and more usable interior storage than the Swift,” he said. “The rear seats fold completely flat to provide excellent carrying space.”
Tom Peck said the Splash was being price positioned between Alto and Swift but was closer to the Swift in size and performance.
The Splash is assembled by Magyar Suzuki Motor Corporation in the Hungarian town of Esztergom where the company recently celebrated production of its two millionth Suzuki.
Established 20 years ago, the Magyar factory first built the early generation Swift in 1992, followed by the Wagon R+ in 2000, Ignis in 2003, SX4 in 2006 and second generation Swift in 2005. Latest Suzuki passenger cars from the Hungarian plant are the Splash and the new generation Swift.
Esztergom has undergone several expansions from the original Greenfield investment and is Suzuki’s sole manufacturing facility in Europe. It has an excellent reputation for build quality and standard of finish.
All cars rolling from the factory comply with stringent Euro 5 environmental standards, and Suzuki is the market leader in Hungary, with Swift and SX4 the top selling models.
The manufacturing company has an annual capacity of 300,000 units and produced more than 280,000 vehicles in 2008.
There are five shop units at Magyar Suzuki, completing stamping, welding, painting and final assembly and the plant meets ISO 14001 standard for environmental management.
Environmentally compatible technologies used with the Splash include water-based paints that preclude unnecessary use of solvents and comprehensive corrosion resistance is included in the manufacturing process.
MSC builds Suzukis for European markets as well as Japan, Russia, Ukraine, as well as to the Middle East and some Northern African territories, including Israel and Morocco.
The Splash has been introduced to India and China, and New Zealand is the first Southern Hemisphere territory to market the model.
