OFF TO A FLYING START IN 2013
After the marked increase of 23 per cent in full year sales for 2012 at almost 25,000 units Suzuki is pleased to announce some strong results for the first trading month of 2013 which closed at 1,701 units, representing a 44 per cent growth over January last year.
This figure for January was the highest recorded since 2004 and it further reinforces the strong demand for Suzuki’s stylish, fun to drive range of cars. The latest results were led by the three smallest models, Alto, Splash and Swift which are all available VAT free until the end of March. Alto SZ is available for just £5,999 or £99 per month on a Personal Contract Purchase after a deposit of only £499. Alto owners have no road tax to pay and enjoy low insurance rates from a 4E classification.
2012 GLOBAL PRODUCTION AND SALES CLIMB
The good news continues further afield too, with domestic production in Japan up 11.8 per cent year on year at 1,061,863 units and domestic sales of Suzuki’s small cars close to 585,000 units which was 22.9 per cent up and an increase for the first time in two years.
Production outside of Japan, of which a large proportion was by Maruti Suzuki in India at the Gurgaon and Manesar plants was also strong at 1,831,739 units and 3.1 per cent up year on year. Overseas production also increased for the first time in two years and contributed to a total Global volume of 2,893,602 units.
Maruti Suzuki has around 40 per cent share of the passenger car market with sales just for January reaching 114,000 units. The 1,000th new car dealership in India was opened last year and there are now almost 3,000 Suzuki service outlets across 1,400 Cities. With the road networks rapidly improving the longer term plan is to have a service outlet located every 25km.
