MUMBAI, India – Last year, Suzuki Automotive South Africa broke its monthly sales record no fewer than three times.
In the end, the company completed the year with a whopping 57% increase in sales, moving from 5 628 units in 2016 to 8 847 units in 2017, resulting in its market share increasing from 0,9% to 1,6%.
Over in India, however, the Suzuki brand is even more popular, and is this year heading for an astonishing 50% market share.
During a recent trip to India, we drove the new Suzuki Swift (the driving impression will be published only in March due to an embargo) and visited its facilities to experience and hear about the company’s successes and plans.
So, here are a few interesting facts about the Japanese automaker that you might not have known…
- The very first Indian-built Suzuki rolled off the production line in December 1983 after the automaker signed a deal with the government.
- Suzuki currently runs three manufacturing plants in India.
- In 2005, Suzuki’s three plants in India hit 500 000 production units. This year, the company is aiming for around two million units.
- The Indian facilities include the brand’s largest R&D centre and proving ground outside of Japan.
- Almost 80% of Indian production is for the domestic market.
- In 2017, Suzuki boasted 47% market share in India, with Hyundai next in line at 17%. Renault had 4% and Toyota and Honda each secured 5%.
- In 2017, seven of the top 10 models sold in India wore Suzuki badges (the other three were the Hyundai Grand i10, Renault Kwid and Hyundai i20).
- Suzuki’s only African plant is in Egypt.
- Suzuki sales in Africa have incrementally increased from 53 689 in 2012 to 246 564 in 2016.
- Suzuki is available across Africa in all but four countries.
