Demand For Swift And Kizashi Models Boost Suzuki’s New Zealand Sales

Suzuki made further gains in the New Zealand car market last year with solid improvements in sales of the Swift hatchback and Kizashi sedan models.

The popular Swift was the top selling small car for a remarkable seven years in succession in 2011, boosting sales by 6.2 per cent over the previous year.

It was the second highest year for Swift sales, beaten only by the record volume achieved in 2008.

The five-door Swift was consistently ahead of its rivals, finishing the year with sales of 2,892, compared with 2,724 in 2010.

“Once again the Swift was a real hit with private new car buyers, and in the overall model stakes ranked second in 2011,” said Gary Collins, Sales Manager for Suzuki New Zealand.

Demand for the highly specified 2.4-litre Suzuki Kizashi four door sedan was also up, with sales rising by more than 30 per cent over 2010. It was the third most popular Suzuki passenger car model, behind the versatile 2.0-litre SX4.

Total Suzuki new car sales rose by 7.7 per cent, compared to an overall market increase of 3 per cent.

Suzuki was the sixth best selling franchise for the year, securing 7.1 per cent penetration of the passenger car market, and selling 4,752 cars.

“Despite the devastating Japanese earthquake and economic conditions that were not always favourable, Suzuki had its second best year in 2011,” said Collins.

Suzuki’s small car strength was boosted in the second half of last year with the arrival of the 1.2-litre Splash five-door hatchback. Grand Vitara, Alto and Jimny sales maintained their volumes compared to 2010.

The latest generation Swift, which launched in February 2011, has proved just as popular as its predecessor which took the market by storm when it arrived in New Zealand in 2005. World wide it became the fastest selling Suzuki model, with cumulative sales now well over two million.

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