News Release

More New Zealand Sales Records for Class-Leading Suzuki Swift

27 January 2009
More New Zealand Sales Records for Class-Leading Suzuki Swift

The top-selling Suzuki Swift has shattered more sales records in the New Zealand new car market.

 

Despite a decline in total new motor vehicle sales last year, demand for the Swift reached new heights as the popular hatchback surged to its best-ever showroom result.

 

Not only did the Swift take out the title of best selling supermini for the fourth successive year, but a record 3,452 took to local roads. This compared with the previous record of 2,455 sales achieved in 2007.

 

The Swift captured 23.6 per cent of the light car class to finish well ahead of its nearest rival and 22 other contenders in the category.

 

At the same time, the highly acclaimed compact Suzuki hatchback was the third top-selling model overall for 2008 - up one place on 2007.

 

“The Swift has had an unbroken record at the top of its class since its introduction in 2005,” said Tom Peck, General Manager of Marketing for Suzuki New Zealand Limited.

 

“Demand for small cars continued to be strong, in spite of the economic climate, and the light car category was up by 21.2 per cent last year,” he said.

 

“But Swift did even better by increasing its sales a solid 40.6 per cent over 2007,” said Peck.

 

“The New Zealand love affair with the Swift has not just continued, but has grown stronger,” he said.

 

“The car is clearly established as the nation’s favourite supermini and the right car for the times.”

 

Last year cumulative international sales for the current model Swift topped the million barrier.

 

High demand for the thrifty Swift was a key factor in Suzuki’s continued growth in the New Zealand motor vehicle market.  The car has been the top-selling local Suzuki model for four years.

 

The marque sold a record 4,783 new passenger cars, and posted its best-ever market penetration of 8.2 per cent.  This compared with 5.9 per cent in 2007.  This improved Suzuki’s ranking a further two places of passenger vehicle distributors last year moving from eighth in 2007 to sixth.

 

Suzuki’s total sales of passenger, four-wheel-drive and commercial vehicles reached a record 5,683 in 2008, a 27.7 per cent improvement on the 4,449 the previous year.

 

Swift has been the recipient of awards in New Zealand, Japan and Europe, and its stand out looks have won the car widespread acclaim.

 

Five versions of the Swift are available in New Zealand with prices starting from $17,990 for the 1.5-litre XE five-door model.  A high performance 1.6-litre Swift Sport is included in the range.

  

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