Suzuki Auto South Africa (SASA) yet again set a new all-time sales record, this time at 2 397 vehicles sold for the month of March.

In doing so, the Japanese vehicle manufacturer broke its month-old record by nearly 12%.

Suzuki’s network of 72 dealers in March also set their own new retail record of 1 962 vehicles.

Suzuki broke through the 2 000-mark for the first time in October last year, with sales of 2 032 vehicles.

Naamsa | The Automotive Business Council reports that the brand now has a passenger vehicle market share of 8.54% and a total industry market share of 5.24%. 

“Suzuki set several sales records on its way to recording its best year ever in 2020, despite the hard lockdown and a general disruption in vehicle imports owing to the [Covid-19] pandemic,” says SASA sales and marketing divisional manager André Venter.

“This was followed in 2021 with two new sales records in February and March.”

He adds that the focus in the months ahead is now on sustainable growth.

He believes that Suzuki’s growth in the local market is, to a degree, due to a product range which is “now perfectly suited to the new economic realities of many South Africans”. 

“Salary cuts and uncertainty have forced us to be prudent with our hard-earned salaries and we are all looking for something that is not only affordable to purchase, but also to fuel and maintain.

The Suzuki Swift remains SASA’s best-selling model, selling 749 units in March, while the S-Presso was delivered to 527 new customers in March. 

The new Vitara Brezza recorded 390-unit sales.

Booming sales, however, means increased pressure on any dealer network.

“We are committed to work with our dealer network to ensure that waiting lists are as short as possible, that our pricing, service plan and warranty support remain of the best in class and that our parts availability is undisrupted,” notes Venter.