"EXTRA VALUE IN LIMITED EDITION SWIFTS"

Suzuki is offering customers the choice of more style and value – or increased safety – with the addition of two limited edition versions of the award-winning Swift.  Inspired by Suzuki’s domination of the Junior World Rally Championship, the Swift RE4 comes complete with more than $4,000 of extra features.

Included in the Swift RE4 pack are new alloy wheels, keyless start, fog lamps, climate control air-conditioning, sports seats with Alcantara upholstery, side mirror indicators and rear spoiler.

“The Swift has truly been one of the great automotive success stories in recent years, with its mix of European styling, outstanding driving dynamics and fantastic value for money,” said Suzuki Australia General Manager Tony Devers. “In spite of a host of new competitors from around the globe, the Swift has cemented itself as one of the benchmark small cars in Australia and is one of the best selling cars in the market.

“The release of the limited edition RE4 adds even more to Australia’s best value small car. “A limited number of Swift RE4 cars will go on sale. With $4,000 of extras, it represents the best value RE limited edition we have produced. “Given the sales performance of previous RE versions, customers wanting to take advantage of this outstanding value package are advised to get in early,” said Devers.

The Swift Safety Pack option adds six airbags – including head protecting side curtain airbags – to the award winning Swift entry level model. “Vehicle safety is increasingly becoming an important factor in the purchase decisions of customers and the addition of the Swift Safety Pack answers those concerns. For just $700 extra, customers can have the added peace of mind that comes with six airbags,” said Devers.

Both limited versions of the Swift – the RE4 and the Swift Safety Pack will go on sale August 1 alongside the current 100th Anniversary Swift.

 "ALTO ACHIEVES FOUR-STAR ANCAP RATING"
 
Australia’s first sub-light car will also be one of the safest with the Suzuki Alto achieving a high four-star rating in the latest round of ANCAP testing.

With segment-leading safety of six airbags as standard, including head protecting side curtain airbags, and the availability of electronic stability control on the higher specification, the exciting new Alto is set to change the face of small car motoring when it hits Australian showrooms next month.  “Suzuki is proud to be the first local car company to offer a vehicle with not only the fuel economy of a hybrid at one third of the price but with such high levels of safety as well,” says Suzuki Australia General Manager Tony Devers.

“Alto will be the answer for budget conscious customers who aren’t willing to sacrifice on style, safety or performance. It matches the lifestyle needs of today's motorists whilst meeting the pressing global need for environmental efficiencies. Devers said safety was a key priority in every Suzuki vehicle. “Every passenger car in the Suzuki Australia line-up has achieved a minimum four star rating, and the Alto maintains the company’s proud safety record.”

The Alto goes on sale in Australia on August 1.

"GRAND VITARA CONFIRMED AS AUSTRALIA'S BEST COMPACT SUV" 
 

Suzuki’s class leading Grand Vitara DDiS turbo-diesel has been confirmed as Australia’s Best Compact SUV. Australia’s toughest judges – the 4WD experts from 4x4 Australia and Overlander 4WD magazines – have this week named the Grand Vitara the best compact SUV in the country for the second year in a row.

“Its low-range gearing, tough ladder frame chassis and all-independent suspension quickly impressed 4X4OTY judges on a mixed on and off-road test route that few other compacts could have completed,” said the 4x4 Australia judges. “The suspension is well sorted, steering is direct and the driver’s seat is comfortable and supportive – ideal for long-haul trips.

“The Grand Vitara DDiS’s asking price makes this compact a steal – and a worthy Best In Class winner once again.”

The 4x4 Australia award comes close on the heels of the judges at Overlander 4WD picking the Grand Vitara turbo-diesel as its best compact SUV, lavishing the car with praise. “The DDiS’s closest rival for this award is one of the two petrol variants of the Grand Vitara. If we were to split this category so that we have separate diesel and petrol winners, there’s no doubt that one of the two petrol Grand Vitaras would get the nod.

“For now, the single Compact Wagon category is owned by the DDiS, thanks to its unique combination of performance, economy and off-road ability.

“What’s even better is the way that it sips fuel. Drive it hard and you’re unlikely to use more than 10 litres/100 km, while easy driving will see the consumption drop into the eights or even the sevens. “The Suzuki’s on-road handling is also a highlight. This is a vehicle that’s stable at higher speeds on crook roads, yet agile and zippy in the tighter stuff. In fact, there’s very little we don’t like about the DDiS.”

The Grand Vitara was judged Best Compact SUV from a highly competitive field, including the Volkswagen Tiguan, Toyota RAV4, Hyundai Tucson, Nissan X-Trail, Jeep Wrangler, Subaru Forester and Honda CR-V.

Suzuki Australia General Manager Tony Devers said the domination by the Grand Vitara in Australia’s leading 4x4 magazines confirmed the Grand Vitara as the best compact SUV on the market. “We were confident of the Grand Vitara’s performance potential when we launched it in 2008, and winning coveted awards from the toughest judges in the business is proof there is no better compact SUV available.

“That’s the reason why the Grand Vitara has performed so well in awards like this, and why its one of the few vehicles showing an increase in sales in 2009,” Devers said. Grand Vitara has been one of the shining lights in 2009 sales figures, with year on year sales of the GV3 up 72 per cent, while the five-door version is up 23 per cent.

 "SIXTH STRAIGHT SALES RECORD FOR SUZUKI"

Suzuki continues to be a shining star in the Australian automotive market after recording its sixth successive increase in annual sales. Suzuki sold 1730 vehicles in December, boosting its total sales for the year to 22,523.The record sales figure was a 4.4 increase on what was a record 2007 result, and continued the company’s remarkable run of six straight years of increased sales.

Since 2004 the company has more than tripled retail sales to cement its reputation as one of the fastest growing vehicle brands in the country.“This is another record breaking year for Suzuki in Australia, and given that Suzuki cars compete in less than half of the market segments, our 2008 sales figure represents an outstanding result”, said Suzuki Australia General Manager Tony Devers.

“Suzuki was one of just a handful of manufacturers to boost volume over 2007. Importantly, we also increased our market share 11 per cent year on year, which is now running at an all-time high of 2.2 per cent. “With competitive pricing and strong value for money we have seen increased sales across almost every model in the Suzuki line-up”.

The company’s SUV sales were bolstered by the arrival of the award-winning new Grand Vitara range in the second half of 2008. “With class leading fuel economy and increased levels of refinement and safety, the Grand Vitara is truly the best value compact SUV on the market. Together with the evergreen Jimny Sierra, we are highly confident of further growth in this segment.”

“We sold a total of 4844 vehicles in the compact SUV segment, up 8.5 per cent on the 2007 figure, in a segment that was down nearly 5 per cent for the year.” The SX4 small car continued to draw increased customer interest with 4184 sales representing an 86 per cent increase on the previous year, while Suzuki’s APV light commercial again achieved record highs with 21 per cent growth.

Suzuki’s top performer for 2008 was again the Swift with 12,947 vehicles moving out of dealer showrooms. “The Swift’s iconic design, driving performance and strong resale value continue to expand its customer profile. Swift is still one of the top choices for private buyers despite the addition of numerous competitors throughout 2008”.

Devers was extremely proud of the result, which he says has been achieved by the combination of an excellent product range and a strong and vibrant dealer network. “I would like to congratulate Suzuki Dealers for their efforts. With an expanding model range that offers style, safety, reliability and excellent value for money, more and more customers are considering the Suzuki brand”.

Devers said 2009 promises to be another exciting chapter for the brand, as Suzuki enters its centenary year. “Despite the doom and gloom surrounding the automotive industry, we are extremely confident that Suzuki is well placed to continue the momentum we have developed to become a significant player in the Australian market."