Maruti Suzuki shifts 10,900 Swifts in December 2009!

The car that turned around the image for Maruti from maker of dull old cars to exciting new models, the Swift has gone on to record landmark sales figures of 10,900 units in December 2009 alone! Those are record figures for this sporty hatchback that has gone from strength to strength since its launch in May 2005.

With an expected price reduction of Rs 35,000 due to downsizing the engine to the brand new K12M 1.2L (the one used in the Ritz; 1.2L qualifies for excise cuts), the popularity of the Swift will only increase. The sporty car has found fans from every corner of the Indian market from youngsters to families. India’s favourite hot hatch, the Swift has conquered every heart with its styling, performance and handling. It is still the best all round hatchback available in India today.

Competition from the Hyundai i10 (which allegedly put up on its brochures that the Santro is bigger than the Swift), i20, Getz, Fabia, Indica Vista and Punto has done nothing to dent these sales figures. With fresh competition from Polo, Nissan’s Micra and Toyota Etios looming in the horizon, the Swift will face the most difficult times of its life in the coming months. There is nothing to worry though, price cuts coupled with the new 1.2K engine will keep it strong until the all new Swift is launched in end-2010. Then the competition will have a lot to worry about.

Riding on the success of its hatchbacks, Maruti Suzuki sold a total of 84,804 vehicles in December 2009. This includes 13,804 units of exports. The company had sold 52,029 vehicles in the domestic market in December 2008. Below are Maruti’s sales figures for the month of December 2009.

Harry