Suzuki Motor Corporation’s compact car Swift, which was launched as a world strategic model in November 2004, has reached cumulative worldwide sales of five million units in early April 2016; or eleven years and five months since the start of sales in 2004.
Since its launch, the Swift has brought innovative changes to Suzuki’s car-making, earning high appraisal for its sporty, stylish, and fun to drive character, such as by winning various 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 (the production line in Malaysia has ceased to operate since the MOU with Proton was signed), and favoured and widely accepted globally from emerging market such as India, to developed market such as Japan and Europe.
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%, etc. 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
June 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
June 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
