The Maruti Suzuki Swift
hatchback car has had a great run in terms of sales, so far in India. Worldwide
too, the car has been quite successful. Suzuki Motor Corporation launched the
Swift in November 2004. The Swift car has now reached cumulative worldwide
sales of five million units in early April 2016 (eleven years and five months
since the start of sales in 2004). Since its launch in 2004, the Swift has undergone
several facelifts, making it more sporty, stylish, and fun to drive. It has
also had its share of car of the year awards in Japan and many other countries
worldwide.
The Swift is truly a world
strategic car, having been produced in countries including Japan, Hungary,
India, China, Pakistan, and Thailand, and favoured and widely accepted globally
from emerging market such as India, to developed market such as Japan and
Europe, says a press release from the company.
The Swift is currently
produced in seven countries worldwide, and has been favoured in more than 140
countries and regions around the world. In India, ever since its launch in
2005, the Swift steadily increased its sales in line with the market expansion
due to economic growth, such as by adding diesel variants and sedans. The Swift
accounts for approximately thirty percent (approximately 430,000 units) of the
annual sales units of Suzuki in India to lead its sales expansion in the Indian
market. The breakdown of five million units is: India 54%, Europe 17%, Japan
10%, and remaining countries 19%.
Swift milestones
Nov. 2004: First-generation Swift as a world strategic model is
released and launched in Japan
Feb. 2005: Production begins in Hungary
May 2005: Production begins in India
Jun. 2005: Production begins in China
Nov. 2005: Swift wins 2006 RJC Car of the Year and
2005–2006 Japan Car of the Year Special Award ‘Most Fun’ prize in
Japan
May 2007: Production begins in Malaysia
Jun. 2008: Cumulative worldwide production reaches one million
units
Nov. 2009: Production begins in Pakistan
Sep. 2010: New (second-generation) Swift is launched in Japan
Nov. 2010: New Swift wins 2011 RJC Car of the Year in Japan
Jan. 2011: Cumulative worldwide sales reach two million units
Mar. 2012: Production begins in Thailand
Jan. 2013: Cumulative worldwide sales reach three million units
Jan. 2014: Production begins in Vietnam
Aug. 2014: Cumulative worldwide sales reach four million units
Apr. 2016: Cumulative worldwide sales reach five million units