Suzuki Swift reaches 10m milestone in 20 years

The long-time New Zealand small car favourite, Suzuki Swift, has accumulated global sales of 10 million units in two decades.

It is comfortably the most successful model in the Japanese brand’s history. The Swift hatchback is an iconic small car that continues to sell above expectations.

With the exception of one year, the Swift has been the number one selling light segment model in New Zealand annually since 2005.

“Based on collective volumes during the past 20 years the Swift is the highest selling model to private customers in New Zealand. It’s ahead of Toyota Hilux, Corolla, Ford Ranger and other models,” said Gary Collins, General Manager of Automobile Sales for Suzuki New Zealand.

The first Suzuki passenger car to wear the Swift badge emerged in 1983. However, the real landmark was the first generation global model, debuting in 2005. Designed by Yasukazu Yuki and Hirohito Matsumoto, the Swift struck a chord when it first broke cover in 2004.

Football legend Cristiano Ronaldo kicked off the Swift’s marketing campaign at the global launch. Initial sales in Japan were twice the expected volumes.

While the model is now in its fourth generation, it retains the styling inspiration of the 2005 Swift. And owners soon appreciated the car’s fun-to-drive characteristics, low running costs and outstanding value for money.

Read our review of the Suzuki Swift RSC.

Buyers warmed to the design and driving qualities that took aim at European consumers. The car’s chassis was refined following a pre-launch road test programme in Europe. 

It quickly became the most recognisable small car in New Zealand and a consistent award winner. Typical of the Swift’s success was in 2018 when it received a double accolade in the New Zealand Car of the Year awards.

The Swift has won awards in Japan, Australia and Britain. This year the latest generation Swift has won plaudits in New Zealand, Australia, Britain and Japan. The Australians acclaimed the Swift to be the best value hybrid vehicle. It was also recognized by RACQ in Australia as the most inexpensive car to own and operate in 2024.

Production began in Japan in 2005, and the Swift was soon being manufactured in Hungary, India, and China. Today, it is made in seven countries and sold in over 170 markets worldwide.

Of the 10 million units sold worldwide, 60 per cent were in India, 14 per cent in Europe, eight per cent in Japan and 18 per cent in other countries. The second-generation model was introduced in 2010 and generation three arrived seven years later.

The first million mark ticked over in 2008, and more than five million Swifts had been sold by April 2016. Since the 2005 launch Kiwis have bought 53,686 new Swifts.

The latest generation made its debut last year and the Swift Plus 1.2 litre Smart Hybrid manual model is priced from $25,990 plus on road costs. In GLS automatic format, the Swift retails for $27,990 while the Swift RSC automatic is $29,990 + ORCs. The higher specification RSC Smart Hybrid model includes blind spot monitoring, heated front seats and 16-inch polished face alloy wheels as standard.

“We are quite humbled by the on-going success of the Swift in New Zealand. It is constantly evolving with global market needs and remains the number one choice for compact cars. It builds on a long history of providing Kiwi customers with a car that offers low emission levels, fuel efficiency, comfort, performance, and affordability,” said Gary Collins.

Added safety specification means the latest Swift now carries a three-star ANCAP safety rating, following a recent retest.