Suzuki Notches Up More NZ Records In March

Suzuki Notches Up More New Zealand Records In March New Car Sales

The shattering of more sales records has reaffirmed Suzuki’s position as the fastest growing new car brand in New Zealand.

March sales for Suzuki were a record for the brand, with the 522 sales capturing 8.2 per cent of the total new car market.

The marque also posted its best-ever first quarter sales of 1,606 for 8.0 per cent penetration, a performance that ranked Suzuki the fifth most popular make of new car.

Suzuki finished fifth again for the month of March, a three-place improvement on the brand’s ranking during its record-breaking 2007.

In the first three months of 2008 sales of new Suzuki cars increased a remarkable 65.4% per cent over the same period last year.

By comparison, total sales of new cars in New Zealand were up a more modest 3.6 per cent during the same first quarter.

“The sales success of Suzuki has continued to accelerate this year,” said Gary Collins, Automobile Sales Manager for Suzuki New Zealand Ltd. “Our March sales were 12 per cent higher than February and represented a 21.5 per cent improvement on March last year while total industry sales for all new cars in the same period were down 3.9 per cent.”

Continuing its class-leading position, the Suzuki Swift hatchback is still the number one small car in New Zealand, with another surge in popularity consolidating the model’s top placing.

In the overall model best sellers list year to date, the Swift is third behind the Toyota Corolla range and Holden Commodore.

Swift sales were 28 per cent higher than January and 9 per cent higher than February; with the March total of 347 a monthly record for the model.

The versatile SX4 “crossover” car, which is now available in both five-door hatchback and four-door sedan forms and in two or four wheel drive, is the second most popular Suzuki model.

Other Suzuki passenger cars are also proving popular, with the Grand Vitara four-wheel-drive sales up 18 per cent for the first quarter of 2008 and the ever-green Jimny showing a 34.2 per cent improvement.

ENDS

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