Suzuki Auto South Africa (SASA) has every reason to celebrate this week: the company recorded its 10 000th unit sale, only 29 months after commencing operations in South Africa.
The milestone not only confirms Suzuki Auto SA’s status as a significant player on the SA motoring landscape, but also underscores the growing demand for the marque’s innovative range of passenger cars and all-terrainers.
The milestone not only confirms Suzuki Auto SA’s status as a significant player on the SA motoring landscape, but also underscores the growing demand for the marque’s innovative range of passenger cars and all-terrainers.
Suzuki Auto SA was officially launched in June 2008 with a choice of two model ranges: the fleet-footed, stylish Swift subcompact hatchback, and the trend-setting SX4 lifestyle hatch. At the time, the retail and service network consisted of just 15 dealers countrywide.
Since then, the brand has shown consistent growth, despite the far-reaching impact of the global recession, which saw the SA market slump to levels well below those envisioned by Suzuki Auto SA’s initial business plan.
“We are both ecstatic and humbled by the ongoing, growing demand for Suzuki’s range of vehicles,” says Kazuyuki Yamashita, managing director of Suzuki Auto SA. “It vindicates our decision to do business here, and proves our long-term commitment to the country – and the SA motoring public.”
He adds that while market conditions became much tougher than originally expected, Suzuki has not only managed to grow its market share here, but also to expand its dealer network – a trend which he says will accelerate as the market recovers.
Since mid-2008, the Suzuki model range has already grown to include the Jimny 4x4, the Grand Vitara all-wheel drive SUV, and the Alto supermini hatchback. In addition, the SX4 range has been updated, and now includes both all-wheel drive and CVT versions.
“Suzuki Auto SA’s new model strategy will gather further momentum as we prepare to launch the all-new Swift hatchback in the first quarter of next year, followed shortly thereafter by the Kizashi medium-sized sedan,” Yamashita says.
“Our dealer network now consists of 23 dealers, and two more dealerships will be opening in Newcastle and Vereeniging soon,” he concluded.
The 10 000th Suzuki to be sold locally under the auspices of Suzuki Auto SA was a Swift GLS m/t which was handed over to its lucky owner, Ms. Melanie Savvides, by Suzuki Johannesburg South on Thursday 23 September 2010.
STORY BY SUZUKI
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