Swift remains on the up

Suzuki New Zealand is celebrating the ongoing success of its Swift, with new-vehicle sales of the compact car for the first three months of the year 70 per cent higher than for the same period in 2022.

Sales of the model have increased each month in the first quarter of 2023 and by the end of March the year-to-date tally was 1,323, up from 775 units.

Demand for the vehicle in March alone rose 120 per cent after it sold 510 units compared with 232 in the same month a year ago.

Gary Collins, general manager of motor vehicle for Suzuki NZ, says: “After 2022 showed an eight per cent increase in Swift sales compared to 2021, demand for Suzuki’s most popular model is still on the rise.

“The Swift is selling at its best-ever levels with the thrifty Hybrid versions proving very popular variants.” 

He notes the Hybrid Swift, pictured, has accounted for 34.2 per cent of all Swift sales year to date.

The Swift range comes in five grade levels, including two that are available with manual transmissions. With the exception of the two 1.4-litre turbo Sport models, all versions are eligible for rebates under the clean car discount programme.

“There is a continuing move to compact vehicles, with consumers conscious of rising costs and fuel consumption,” adds Collins. “Of all Suzuki sales in New Zealand, 92.5 per cent are in the sub-$35,000 bracket.”

Suzuki NZ says the Swift took a 22 per cent market share of all new passenger car sales, which excludes SUVs, between January and March this year.

Its March registrations were also 88 per cent higher than its nearest rival, the Honda Jazz with 272 units.