Suzuki records record sales in June

The national lockdown measures have recently placed immense pressure on the local automotive market with most brands slowly returning to their normal sales performances. Suzuki Auto South Africa not only reached sales figures last recorded pre-lockdown but has surpassed it. Suzuki Auto SA ranks seventh overall in the local sales rankings and retains a 4.49 per cent total vehicle market share and a 7.17 per cent passenger vehicle market share after recording 1 433 units in the month of June.

“All credit goes to our national dealer network, which worked very hard to reopen all their dealership floors while meeting government and Suzuki standards for sanitation and safety. Their rapid action allowed us to meet the pent-up demand for good quality, affordable vehicles such as our new S-Presso and popular Swift,” André Venter, divisional manager, sales and marketing, Suzuki Auto South Africa.

Accounting for more than a third of the total dealership sales recorded in June, the S-Presso has sold 555 units making it one of the most popular new models for the brand.  Suzuki was forced to cancel its in-person media launch scheduled earlier this year and opted to launch the popular new model digitally shortly before of the start of South Africa’s national lockdown.

“With a starting price of only R139 900, a service plan and 5-year warranty included, the S-Presso seems to be the perfect vehicle for cash-strapped South Africans looking for a reliable new car. Its design as a compact SUV, with more interior space and high ground clearance, certainly helps,” continued Venter.

Although being a small offering from the Suzuki brand, the S-Presso stood head and shoulders above the other models on offer with the Swift managing 297 units, the Ignis 86 units and the Jimny 4×4 249 units in the month of June. Naamsa reports that in total 31 867 vehicles were sold in June, which is significantly more than the 12 874 vehicles sold in May although it still remains below the 45 953 units sold in June 2019.

“It was impossible to predict the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown or to fully gauge its impact on dealer health, but based on June’s sales it looks like there is a glimmer of hope for the auto industry. We will support our dealers as they continue to trade under difficult circumstances and will fully support the industry, which remains a very significant investor and employer in South Africa,” says Venter.

The brand which has only been trading locally for 10-years hopes to maintain the momentum as they move into new corporate offices and an adjacent parts storage facility.

“With the growth in our car parts and dealer network, we have been forced to increase our support staff and available parts storage. We have already identified a new corporate head office and warehouse facility in Johannesburg and will move as soon as it is safe to do so,” concludes Venter.