A total of 2419 new Suzukis were sold in June, making it the best ever month in the company’s history and continues a remarkable run of 19 straight months of increased month on month sales.

The June result represented a 2.2 per cent increase over the previous record result, posted in June 2007.

“Another record result confirms Suzuki is now being considered against the historical volume players in the Australian market,” said Suzuki Australia General Manager Tony Devers.

“More customers are taking notice of the extraordinary value for money available with Suzuki product and we are on track for another record year in 2008.

“With rising petrol prices having a noticeable effect on customer choices, Suzuki is perfectly positioned to offer a range of vehicles offering great fuel economy, superb build quality and terrific value for money.”

The SX4 range continued its impressive run of sales success in June, with 439 sold up 74 per cent over the June 2007 figure.

The best selling Swift line-up had another stellar month with 1356 sales, making it the highest selling month ever by Swift, a testimony to its design, performance and great re-sale value.

World-wide production of the award-winning light car passed one million in June – less than four years since production started reaching the milestone faster than any previous Suzuki model.

The SUV line-up rounded out the record month, with Grand Vitara sales up 21 per cent and Jimny sales up 35 per cent over the June 2007 result.

Devers said the record June result meant the company was on track for another record sales result in 2008.

“Halfway through the year we have recorded total sales of 12,140 units, representing an 11.3 per cent increase over the 2007 figure.

“SX4 sales are up 220 per cent, Jimny sales up 34 per cent and APV sales up 50 per cent, while Grand Vitara and Swift have maintained the same record pace they set in 2007.”

The new plans will further compliment the original agreement put in place in April 2002, which includes the OEM supply of Suzuki mini cars to Nissan and the supply of automatic transmissions to Suzuki through Nissan’s affiliate company Jatco, Ltd.

The two companies will now expand their business collaboration, after agreeing to the following:

• To extend cross supply of vehicles in Japan
• At the end of 2006, both manufacturers will supply to each other a vehicle on an OEM basis, Nissan will supply a minivan to Suzuki, while Suzuki will provide a mini-vehicle to Nissan. Both products are intended for the Japanese market only.
• To begin a cross supply of vehicles in overseas markets From 2008, Nissan will supply a compact pick up truck to Suzuki on an OEM basis for sale in the North America market. Suzuki will provide a new A-segment vehicle for Nissan on an OEM basis for the European market.
• To share manufacturing capacity at each others overseas facilities Nissan and Suzuki will begin a manufacturing collaboration in new emerging markets by sharing their respective manufacturing facilities, this activity will start at Suzuki’s plant in India.

The expansion of the business collaboration with Nissan will further strengthen Suzuki’s global competitiveness, and will ensure Suzuki achieves its midterm five year business plan by complementing its product portfolio in new segments.

The relationship with Nissan, will not change Suzuki’s alliance partnership with General Motors.

The result, which is calculated on a consolidated basis is an increase of 16.1 percent and is reflective of the success Suzuki has enjoyed around the world with their motorcycles, automobiles and outboard motors.

Within the Automotive department record high production was achieved, with in excess of one million units produced overseas for the first time.

Domestic production also exceeded one million units for the second consecutive year, taking the worldwide production result for Suzuki automobiles to 2,200,240 units.

In Australia, 2005, was a time of exceptional growth for the Suzuki brand, with an impressive 13,794 units sold Australia wide, an increase of over 90% from 2004.

The sales success can well be attributed to the arrival of the new Suzuki Swift, APV Commercial Van and the all new Grand Vitara, while retail sales of other Suzuki models such as the Liana and Jimny also lifted.

Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC) was first founded in 1909, and since then has grown into a worldwide company of more than 40,000 people, who create and distribute products in more than 190 nations.

Suzuki Alto

Fitted with a 3 cyl 550 cc engine in Japan to come under the Japanese Kei Class laws, the Alto also had the option of a 800cc engine that made the car more popular in export markets. Many other car makers at the time that offered these micro sized cars could only offer a 660cc engine, as the largest size available as this was the limit set by Japan’ s Kei Class laws that offer cheaper tax rates to small cars.

The Alto has evolved over the years and today is available with a 1.1 litre 4 cyl as well as turbo sports option.

The Alto is also built in India by Maruti Udyog, a company who was set up as a partnership by Suzuki and the Indian Government. The Maruti 800, the Maruti Zen, and the Maruti Alto are based on the ’86, ’94, and ’02 Alto, respectively. All Indian models are only available with five doors. The 2nd generation Alto based Mauruti 800 is still sold today and has only recently been knocked off the top sellers list by the Alto itself. In Korea Daewoo produced a car for quite some time know as a Tico that was based on the 1982 Alto. The Tico was later replaced by Daewoo’s Matiz.  The Alto was also manufactured by Suzuki for Mazda as the Carol at first in 1989 with a unique exterior and interior design with later models being a straight badge swap design.  

In Australia the Alto was sold as a light commercial vehicle from 1980 to 1985 known as the Suzuki Hatch and as an Alto from 1985 to 1989, it was a 2 door hatch with no rear seats. Its main rival was the Daihatsu Handivan. it was first released with a 550cc engine, later the option of the 800 cc engine was introduced as well. This model shared many of its components with the Suzuki Mighty Boy ute. The name Alto was reintroduced between 1995 and 1998 as a passenger car where the engine size had evolved to 1 litre.

Suzuki Concept S2

Fun to drive and with a powerful presence, the Concept S2 carries over the Concept S’ dynamic styling and sporty character with its chunky and unique body shape.

At just 3,695mm long and 1,730mm wide, Suzuki’s newest star is fitted with a powerful, light and compact 1.6L DOHC aluminium engine (4 cylinder 16 valve) and a sequential six speed gearbox.

The convertible function of the vehicle includes a three-part rotating and retracting roof structure, composed of a 2 piece roof front, a roof rear and a rear window, each of which rotates by electric motor and retracts into the rear luggage compartment.

Like its predecessor, the Concept S2 features the distinctive ‘wrap around window’ design, hiding the front pillars from view and displaying the windows at the front and at the sides of the vehicle as one piece.

Inside, a next generation meter design includes a multi functional TFT LCD meter running a standard analog tachometer during normal operation, and animated information such as warnings and malfunction notices in the event of an emergency.

The Concept S2 is fitted with Suzuki’s exclusive ‘Advanced Navigation System’ in which an on screen character serves as a virtual navigator further enhancing the drive experience. The hi-tech system allows for vehicle to vehicle mutual communication, as well as a display of real time weather information for the areas the vehicle is heading- a necessity for the convertible of the future.

Even in wet and rainy conditions when the roof is in place, passengers can still enjoy a feeling of blue skies overhead, with the innovative ‘blue sky’ design motif applied to the roof lining.

Suzuki Cappuccino

The Roof of the Cappuccino was removable in 3 sections and fitted in the boot. Then you can pull a lever and the glass rear window and targa rollbar swing down behind the seats turning the car from a hard top, to a targa, then a full convertible.
 
The small two seater was a rear wheel layout which is quite uncommon for a Japanese micro car, their sporty performance and design has led them to being something of a cult classic with many being exported from Japan second hand to all around the world.

Suzuki Mighty Boy

Based on the Suzuki Hatch also known as a Fronte or Alto, it has one of the smallest payload areas of any ute that has ever been built. In fact if you need to carry 1 bail of hay you need to drive with the tailgate down.

While many people offten considered the car as a joke, it is now becoming a cult classic as clubs are being formed with plenty of members who are buying up the tiny cars and hotting them up. 

Nissan Moco

The Moco is built for Nissan by Suzuki and is based apon their MR Wagon. The car features inovative features like fold flat rear and fron passenger seats to give it a better cargo area, also the fron seat base folds forward to reveal a large hidden storage bin.

The Moco / Mr Wagon are powered by a 660cc engine via a column shift auto transmission. There is not alot of width in the small four seater hence the desision to place the shift lever on the steering column, future version see the shift lever move to a dash mounted type.  

The main diferences between the two cars are badging and a diferent front and rear light treatment, A turbo sporty version is also available from both Suzuki and Nissan.

The award, decided by a panel of 72 jurors, critiqued 21 vehicles before deciding on a shortlist of six finalists, which included the Suzuki Swift, Nissan Note, Mazda Roadstar, Honda Civic, Lexus IS and Mitsubishi Outlander.

Recognised for its bold European style and dynamic drive performance, the Swift was awarded the 2006 RJC Car of the Year, marking the second prize of this type for Suzuki following the success of the Wagon R in 1993.

Since being unveiled at the Paris Motor Show in 2004, the Suzuki Swift has experienced phenomenal worldwide success with production in Japan, Hungry, India and China producing almost 168,000 units in the last 12 months.

The Swift was recently awarded the “Most Fun to Drive” at the annual Car Of The Year Japan awards for 2005- 2006 and also received ‘Car Of The Year 2006′ in Iceland and the Small Car of the Year Award in National Business Review Car of the Year for 2005 in New Zealand.

In Australia, the Swift has far exceeded Suzuki’s expected target for each month of 350 units, selling a total of 894 vehicles for the month of October and again outselling the Mazda 2, Honda Jazz, Ford Fiesta and Holden Barina.

The Swift is priced from just $15,990 and comes standard with a six speaker in dash CD stereo system, easy to operate audio system controls mounted on leather steering wheel, air conditioning, electric mirrors and windows, power steering, remote keyless entry with hazard lamp answer back, a centrally located information display showing time, fuel consumption and temperature, UV reducing glass, dual front SRS airbags and ABS brakes.

An S model Swift is also available and includes alloy wheels, fog lamps and side and curtain airbags for an additional $2,000.

The Suzuki Swift comes with Suzuki CustomerCare, providing customers with peace of mind via a three year/100,000km warranty and three year 24 hour roadside assistance.

To locate your nearest Suzuki dealer call Suzuki CustomerCare on 1800 777 088 or visit www.suzuki.com.au