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By Charl Bosch

Motoring Journalist


Suzuki posts new record as vehicle sales rise in September

Hamamatsu marque placed third behind Toyota and Volkswagen with sales of 3 134 new vehicles.


Suzuki has posted its highest ever monthly sales since returning to South Africa over a decade ago by leapfrogging Ford, Nissan and Hyundai to become the country’s third best-selling marque in September.

According to the latest National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (Naamsa) figures, the Hamamatsu based brand shifted 3 134 vehicles last month with the Swift remaining its top-seller on 935, followed by the S-Presso (504) and Vitara Brezza (455).

The automaker had further reasons to smile after the latter’s rebadged sibling, Toyota Urban Cruiser, took the final position on the overall podium with a record 1 827 examples moved.

Suzuki’s achievements, plus an impressive showing by the Renault Kiger (1 126), capped off another positive month for the local industry with an overall increase of 15.8% from 37 237 last year to 43 130, the fifth consecutive uptake of the year so far.

As in previous months, the various segments remained mixed with new passenger vehicles recording another solid increase of 30.5% from 22 643 to 29 538, while light commercial vehicles went the other way by decreasing 10.9% from 12 281 to 10 943.

After ending August in the red, medium and heavy-duty commercial vehicles bounced back in September with respective increases of 11.6% and 15.8% to 762 and 1 887 units.

ALSO READ: D-Max and Land Cruiser 300 surprise of August sales jump

For a third straight month though, vehicle exports lost traction with a massive downturn of 57.0% from last year’s 28 390 to a mere 12 202.

“The new vehicle market continued to show further good recovery during the month of September 2021 in line with the country’s return to adjusted level 2 lockdown regulations and overall enhanced business and consumer sentiment,” Naamsa said.

“New vehicle demand is starting to pick up with consumers, businesses and rental companies returning to the market. However, many Covid-19 disruptive elements remain in play and prevailing market conditions have been hampered by higher logistics costs and supply chain disruptions, such as the global semi-conductor shortages impacting on the availability of certain models”.

Aside from Suzuki’s mentioned performance, Toyota kept its position of best performing manufacturer with sales of 10 936, followed by Volkswagen on 7 029.

Behind Suzuki, Hyundai placed fourth on 2 930 followed by Renault (2 520), Nissan (2 330), Kia (2 230), Ford (2 021), Haval (1 990) and Isuzu (1 924).

SEPTEMBER TOP 50 BEST SELLERS

POSMODELUNITS
1Toyota Hilux2 642
2Volkswagen Polo2 257
3Toyota Urban Cruiser1 827
4Volkswagen Polo Vivo1 767
5Isuzu D-Max1 593
6Toyota HiAce1 477
7Toyota Starlet1 342
8Ford Ranger1 169
9Renault Kiger1 126
10Nissan NP2001 108
11Haval Jolion951
12Suzuki Swift935
13Toyota Corolla Quest897
14Toyota Fortuner847
15Kia Rio729
16Renault Kwid710
17Hyundai Grand i10672
18Volkswagen Polo Sedan646
19Hyundai Atos552
20Hyundai Venue523
21Suzuki S-Presso504
22Volkswagen Tiguan487
23Nissan Navara485
24GWM P-Series484
25Kia Picanto473
26Renault Triber461
27Suzuki Vitara Brezza455
28Suzuki Eritga387
29Volkswagen T-Cross386
30Kia Pegas347
31Ford Figo321
32Ford EcoSport305
33Haval H6295
34Hyundai i20294
35 Volkswagen T-Roc 293
36 Mahindra Pik-Up292
37Toyota Agya291
38BMW X3290
39BMW 3 Series280
40Nissan Magnite276
41Hyundai Creta263
42Suzuki Jimny255
43Toyota Land Cruiser 70-series248
44Kia Sonet241
45Honda WR-V233
46Suzuki DZire230
47Toyota RAV4225
48Hyundai H100216
49Mazda CX-5203
50Kia Seltos200

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