May An All-Time Record For Suzuki In New Zealand

May An All-Time Record For Suzuki In New Zealand

Sales of new Suzuki cars hit an all-time record in New Zealand for May, with the make capturing its biggest-ever market share.

While total new car demand is running at a similar level to last year, Suzuki is racing up the popularity ladder.

In May Suzuki was the fifth largest selling new car distributor (passenger cars), up from ninth place in 2006, according to official Motor Industry Association figures.

At the same time, the franchise took a record 7.33 per cent of the new car market, finishing ahead of Mazda, Hyundai, Mitsubishi and Nissan.

For the first five months of 2007, Suzuki is ranked seventh with 5.37 per cent penetration, with year to date sales volume exceeding Nissan and Mitsubishi.

Much of the swing to Suzuki is attributed to an increasing awareness of fuel-efficient cars as New Zealanders look for ways to preserve the environment and embrace the fight against global warming.

The Suzuki Swift, already the top-selling super-mini model in 2005 and 2006, is not only retaining its number car position again this year but is increasing its domination. The Swift was the best selling super-mini in May 2007, and fourth overall.

Swift sales for May were a solid 70.8 per cent ahead of the model’s nearest rival, the Toyota Yaris.

With sales of 1,064 units for the January-May 2007 period, the award-winning Swift is just 146 units behind the Ford Falcon.

The chic front-wheel-driven Swift is also fourth most popular model in year to date sales – a two-position improvement on the car’s ranking last year.

Suzuki’s other rising star, the new 2.0-litre multi-purpose SX4 five-door lift back, also recorded its best month on the New Zealand market in May.

The SX4 finished twelfth on the best-selling model list, and was the second best-selling four-wheel-drive model, beaten only by the larger Ford Territory.

Launched as Suzuki’s third global car, the SX4 was also the best-selling four-cylinder four-wheel-drive car for May in what was the car’s first full month of adequate supply since its introduction earlier this year.

In total motor vehicle industry sales, including commercial vehicles, Suzuki was eighth in May, with a market penetration of 5.7 per cent. The brand is also lying eighth year to date with a further increase in market share

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