SUZUKI CARS ARE A SALES HIT

In only its second full sales month since commencing operations in South Africa, Suzuki Auto South Africa has become the country's eleventh largest seller of passenger cars. This despite the negative economic conditions and general decline in demand for new cars.

According to figures released by the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of SA (NAAMSA)

Of these, 197 units were Suzuki SX4 lifestyle hatchbacks, with the remaining 194 sales attributed to the compact Suzuki Swift hatchback. SX4 sales doubled, compared to June, and demand for this innovative, value-added hatchback continues to increase.

Suzuki Auto's substantial sales improvement was achieved against the backdrop of a market that showed a slight recovery from the negative month-on-month trend experienced in previous months.

Total passenger car sales for July 2008 were 13.9 percent higher than in June this year. However, the year-to-date sales tally of 204 128 passenger cars is still 24.9 percent down on the 254 872 units sold during the first seven months of last year – a drop of more than 50 000 cars.

"While July is traditionally a strong sales month, as reflected by the market, we are particularly pleased with the sales performance of Suzuki's SX4 and Swift hatchbacks," comments Kazuyuki Yamashita, Managing Director of Suzuki Auto SA.

"The increase of 70 percent in sales, compared to June, not only underscores the appeal of the brand and its products, but also the confidence SA motorists have in the quality, performance and frugality of our cars."

Yamashita points out that the sales increase was achieved despite Suzuki's currently limited model range, and with a dealer network that is still in the process of being deployed.

"The launch of our Jimny and Grand Vitara SUV models in early September will substantially bolster our offering to the motoring public, and should result in a further, substantial increase in sales. Our dealer network is already operational in all major metro areas, and has grown from the initial 12 to 19 dealerships countrywide."

Suzuki's 391 car sales tally compares favourably to those of more established brands in the local passenger car sector. It outsold Chrysler (376 units), Tata (375), Peugeot (248), Renault (247), Fiat (239), Subaru (133), Chana (48) and Mahindra (22).

Yamashita is bullish about the immediate prospects for the brand. "Our order books suggest that August will be an even better month for the brand, regardless of the market trends," he concluded.