By Otsile Kadiege

Naamsa, the business council for the automotive industry, reports that Suzuki sold 3 857 new cars, SUVs and commercial vehicles to customers in October. This represents 86% of the total of 4 480 vehicles that Suzuki sold in South Africa last month. The rise in retail sales is in sharp contrast to retail sales by the industry in general. According to naamsa, a total of 36 468 sales, or 80.2% of the total industry sales of 45 445 vehicles, were made by dealers.

This is the third month that Suzuki has shown excellent retail results amidst a slowing vehicle market.

In October for instance, the total market declined by 2% and passenger vehicles sales dropped by 3.4% over the same month in 2022. Over the same period, Suzuki’s total sales jumped by 9%, with dealers setting a new overall sales record, growing more than 26%.

The best-performing Suzuki in October’s sales numbers was the Suzuki Swift with 1 248 sales. Following behind the Swift were other best-selling models such as the S-Presso (536 units), the Ertiga (498 units) and the Baleno with 490 sales. 

Looking ahead at the rest of the fourth quarter, Suzuki will launch one more model – the Suzuki Jimny in five-door guise.