• Suzuki South Africa said it set a new sales record in 2020 of 16 527 vehicles sold in one year.
• The Japanese carmaker sold 16 527 vehicles in the last 12 months, 1046 units more than the previous year.
• It also broke the 2000-vehicle barrier for the first time October 2020.
Suzuki South Africa reported a total of 16 527 new vehicle sales in 2020 according to the automotive industry body, Naamsa.
According to the company its sales grew by 1046 units in the past 12 months and increased its market share to 4.3%, this is in the backdrop of overall industry sales declining by 29.1%.
Over 2000 sales in a month for the first time
The audited sales results also recorded at least four instances in 2020 where Suzuki set new outright sales records for the brand. This includes a new record of 2032 units in October 2020, the first month that the company sold more than 2000 units.
"There is no better testament to the hard work and resilience of our staff and dealer network than the increase in sales last year," says André Venter, divisional manager for sales and marketing at Suzuki Auto.
According to Venter, Suzuki grew in every area of its business, with no single retail channel or model solely responsible for the increase in sales. For instance, the Suzuki dealer network grew its sales by 17.84% over 2019, with 13 556 customers welcomed to the Suzuki family.
At the same time, Suzuki grew its sales to fleet customers and the government by 12%, despite the fact that the rental industry purchases dropped by 26.2% last year.
Suzuki also launched several upgrades to its existing model range, including the Dzire, Ignis and Baleno, and the introduction of the budget hatch S-Presso.
In terms of new models, Suzuki will introduce its new Vitara Brezza in February, it's the best-selling vehicle outright in India according to the company.
