Suzuki hits 20 millionth milestone

Domestic sales of new Suzuki cars in Japan have topped 20 million units in the wake of record demand for the marque in world markets.
World-wide in 2009 Suzuki made well over twice as many motor vehicles as Mazda and three times as many cars as Mitsubishi.
In Japan Suzuki was second only to Toyota in car production last year, beating Nissan, Honda and Mazda.
“Suzuki made 2.38 million cars in 2009 which makes it a significant brand in world terms,” said Tom Peck, General Manager of Marketing for Suzuki New Zealand.
Suzuki has produced more than 40 million cars since the make’s first passenger model, the Suzulight, launched in October 1955.
This diminutive, 360 cc, two-stroke-engined baby car was a precursor to the small car expertise for which Suzuki would become famous.
Debut versions of the ubiquitous little four-wheel-drive Jimny in 1970 and the Alto in 1979 went on to become Suzuki icons as did the current generation Swift that won the title of Suzuki’s best-selling car in New Zealand and the country’s top super-mini model.
The practical and thrifty Alto hatchback formed the foundation for Suzuki’s success in Japan and went on to attract wide international appeal.
More than ten million Altos have been sold, including 4.8 million in Japan. There are four million Altos in daily use on Indian roads.
Suzuki operates in 193 global markets and its widening popularity is reflected in New Zealand where the brand is selling more new cars than ever.
Between 2004 and 2008, sales of new Suzuki cars trebled in New Zealand with record demand in each successive year.
More than one million of the current model Swift has been sold. This model is now built in seven countries - Japan, Hungary, India, China, Indonesia, Taiwan and Malaysia.
Sales of the Grand Vitara have topped 2.6 million and the model’s predecessor, the Vitara, pioneered the compact Sport Utility Vehicle class in 1988.
Suzuki is further developing its compact car expertise with small and flexible engines with even lower emissions and better fuel economy.
At the same time the company is reinforcing a reputation for customer focussed and value products that are fun to drive and inexpensive to own.