Suzuki maintains strong market share

Suzuki Auto South Africa’s product range appears to strike a chord with many consumers, allowing them to consistently surpass their targets.

In September of this year, they achieved remarkable sales, totaling 4 478 vehicles. This impressive performance translates to a 14.14% market share in the passenger vehicle market and 9.73% of the total vehicle market, firmly positioning Suzuki in third place in both categories.

Henno Havenga, the general manager of auto sales and marketing at Suzuki Auto South Africa, points out, “Suzuki Auto managed to maintain its 14% market share in the passenger vehicle market, despite a general decline in sales and consumer confidence.”

While other vehicle brands and the market in general experienced setbacks, Suzuki remained resilient. The National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (Naamsa) acknowledged the pressure on consumers due to rising living costs, increased fuel prices, and a prevailing sense of uncertainty and pessimism about the future.

“In a market where buyers feel financially stretched, they become more cautious about purchasing a new vehicle. When they do decide to buy, often out of necessity, they become more discerning about the type of vehicle they choose and the value it provides,” explains Havenga.

According to Naamsa, all new vehicle manufacturers collectively sold 46 021 vehicles in September, marking a 4.1% decline compared to the same month last year.

Thanks to its diverse range and fuel-efficient engine, the Suzuki Swift maintains its position as the most popular Suzuki model, attracting 1 291 new owners in September. Other Suzuki models that performed well include the Ertiga (443 vehicles), S-Presso (420 units), Baleno (409 cars), and the new Fronx with 527 vehicles. The compact and cost-effective Suzuki Eeco panel-van found 172 new owners.

Havenga emphasises, “Vehicles like the Eeco or Swift set the benchmark in their market segment for fuel efficiency, low maintenance costs and the number of features offered for the price. For instance, the Eeco, priced at under R200 000, includes air conditioning, ABS brakes, ESP and dual airbags. These features are invaluable for small businesses closely monitoring their expenses in this challenging economy.”

Havenga concludes, “Global sales performance reflects the growing interest in Suzuki vehicles. Suzuki reached the 40 million unit milestone in 2009 and accelerated to its 70 million one by 2020. The last 10 million vehicles were added in less than three years, culminating at the end of September.”

Source: MotorPress