Suzuki Races Ahead in New Zealand Market Place

Suzuki Races Ahead in New Zealand Market Place

Suzuki has reaffirmed its sharp increase in popularity amongst New Zealand new car buyers with a record-breaking result in year to date sales.

The make has lifted its share of the local new passenger car market from 1.8 per cent in 2004 to 5.6 per cent for the January-August 2007 period, according to the latest Motor Industry Association figures.

“Suzuki has lifted the bar in New Zealand to become a significant player in the new car market,” said Gary Collins, Sales Manager with the Wanganui-based Suzuki New Zealand Ltd.

He said Suzuki had the right product for the market as demand for compact, fuel-efficient vehicles continued to grow.

“We are introducing new products that allow Suzuki to compete in new segments of the market and which appeal to a new and wider customer audience,” said Collins.

Suzuki’s market share in the segments in which the brand currently competes has reached a record 8.4 percent. In 2006 the brand took 6.0 percent of the same segments.

With the recent arrival of a 2-litre 2WD version of the versatile and roomy SX4 five-door compact hatchback, the marque has the potential to further increase it’s market penetration.

While the total new car market is up just 1.6 percent for the first eight months of 2007, Suzuki has increased sales by more than 40 percent.

In 2005 Suzuki increased its local new car sales by 88 percent over the previous year, and followed this with a further 32 percent boost in demand last year.

Sales in 2007 are on track for an increase of 45 percent over 2006 and while the company predicts a levelling-out in 2008 and 2009, the lift in new Suzuki registrations still represents a significant increase in popularity for the brand.

Currently the highly popular Swift, the top-selling super-mini in New Zealand, is leading demand for the franchise.

In year to date sales, Swift has a commanding lead in it’s class, outselling it’s nearest rival by a solid 42 percent. At the same time, the Swift is the fourth best selling new car in New Zealand, trailing the Ford Falcon by just 132 units for the January-August period.

The new SX4 global car has been selling ahead of expectations and other Suzuki models are proving popular. The small, fuel efficient Suzuki Jimny four-wheel-drive has been a quiet achiever, with local sales up 138 percent so far this year, while the APV Van has made useful gains in the light commercial market.

The strong New Zealand result is a reflection of Suzuki’s international standing and expansion.

“In Japan Suzuki retains the number three position year to date behind only Toyota and Nissan and ahead of Honda, despite reducing mini-car production,” said Gary Collins. Production constraints persuaded Suzuki to increase output of it’s compact models at the expense of the micro cars largely sold in Japan.

ENDS

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