By Otsile Kadiege

The Japanese automaker’s local arm recorded a massive 3,134 new vehicle sales in September 2021, notching up its best month ever and elevating it to a top 3 position in overall vehicle sales. This is the first time that Suzuki has broken through the 3,000-unit mark in one month. 

With total sales of over 3,000 units, Suzuki now represents 7.2% of the South African market, the company’s highest share to date. If one removes the 82 Super Carry units sold in September, then Suzuki represents 10.3% of the passenger vehicle market.

Suzuki also sold over 1,200 new vehicles for rental and government fleets. This not only signifies the return of this important vehicle buying segment to the market, but it exceeds Suzuki’s previous fleet sales record by over 50%.

Several Suzuki units contributed significantly to the overall sales record. Suzuki delivered close to 1,000 new Swift models to customers (935 units) and 504 customers chose the S-Presso as their vehicle of choice in September. The Vitara Brezza, India’s top-selling vehicle, found 455 new owners and the ever-popular Ertiga was delivered to 387 new customers. 

Naamsa, the automotive industry council, reports that the industry has been recovering slowly, but surely since the lifting of the most restrictive lockdown restrictions. In September, the industry sold 43,130 units, representing a local market growth of 15,8% over the previous year, when lockdown restrictions were stricter, and demand was low.