The global success of Suzuki’s Swift continues, with worldwide cumulative sales of the mini-hatchback reaching three million last January. The car, launched as a global strategic model in 2004, achieved that number eight years and two months after sales commenced.
After its 2004 debut in Japan, production and distribution was soon extended to other countries, among them Hungary, India and China while the second generation was launched in 2010, adding further eco-efficiency and dynamic appeal to the car.
Today the Swift nests in more than 120 countries and its sustained sales success has been emphasised by the numerous awards and accolades the brand has received not only in Japan but also in other countries. It has been honoured with ‘Car of the The Year’ titles in Europe, India and several other countries.
Most recently it was the small car winner in the 2012 Automobile Association New Zealand Motoring Writers’ Coty – considered the country’s most significant automotive award. The recognition followed only days after the Swift Sport was a category winner in the AMI Insurance and New Zealand Autocar magazine awards and it is the number one seller to private buyers in the country.
While nothing is heard of the brand in Nigeria with huge market potential, the car has also been a sales success in South Africa; where 6,536 have been sold while monthly sales average 118. Swift sales represent 29 percent of total Suzuki car sales in the country.
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