Suzuki Motor Corporation’s Swift compact car, which was launched as a global strategic model in November 2004, has reached cumulative worldwide sales of five million units in early April 2016 (11years and five months since the start of sales in 2004 globally).
Since its launch in 2004, the Swift has brought innovative changes to Suzuki’s car-making, earning accolades for its sporty, stylish, and fun-to-drive character and also winning a number of Car of the Year awards in Japan and across countries worldwide. Autocar India, magazine also voted the Swift its 'Car of the Year' in 2006 and 2012.
The Swift is currently produced in seven countries worldwide including Japan, India, Hungary, China, Pakistan and Thailand. India accounts for 54 percent of that number, with 2.7 million units of the Swift hatchback and Swift Dzire sedan sold so far.
Launched in 2005, the Maruti Suzuki Swift has won Autocar India’s coveted Car of the Year award twice – in 2006 and then in 2012, when the full model change was introduced. In its latest avatar, launched in October 2014, the Swift Diesel saw a 10 percent increase in fuel efficiency while the Swift Petrol’s fuel efficiency improved by 9.6 percent.
The Swift Dzire, launched in 2008, is India’s best-selling sedan for the last three years. It has been a category leader since launch and has helped Maruti Suzuki strengthen its presence in the entry sedan segment. Like the Swift, the Swift Dzire is popular for its sporty, contemporary styling, performance, superior comfort and convenience features. The Swift Dzire (Diesel) delivers a mileage of 26.59 kilometres per litre.
In India, ever since its launch in 2005, the Swift steadily increased its sales in line with the market expansion due to economic growth and with introduction of diesel variants and sedans. The Swift accounts for approximately 30 percent (approximately 4,30,000 units) of Suzuki's annual sales in India to lead its sales expansion in the Indian market. The breakdown of five million units is: India 54 percent, Europe 17 percent, Japan 10 percent and others 19 percent.
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SWIFT MILESTONES
November 2004: First-gen Swift as a world strategic model is released and launched in Japan
February 2005: Production begins in Hungary
May 2005: Production begins in India
June 2005: Production begins in China
May 2007: Production begins in Malaysia
June 2008: Cumulative worldwide production reaches one million units
November 2009: Production begins in Pakistan
September 2010: New (second-gen) Swift is launched in Japan
January 2011: Cumulative worldwide sales reach two million units
March 2012: Production begins in Thailand
January 2013: Cumulative worldwide sales reach three million units
January 2014: Production begins in Vietnam
August 2014: Cumulative worldwide sales reach four million units
April 2016: Cumulative worldwide sales reach five million units