Launched in 2004, the Suzuki has managed to sell three million units of the compact hatch Swift over a period of eight years and two months.
The Suzuki Swift was first produced and started selling in Japan in November 2004 and production and distribution began in various countries including Hungary, India and China the following year. Suzuki points out that the Swift is a popular vehicle in more than 120 countries and regions around the world.
In Japan, the Swift won the RJC (Automotive Researchers’ and Journalists’ Conference of Japan) Car of the Year Award in 2006 and 2011, and the 2005-2006 Japan Car of the Year Special ‘Most Fun’ Award, in addition to various Car of the Year Awards in Europe and India.
Of the three million units, approximately 13% have been sold in Japan, 45% in India and 23% in Europe.
SWIFT MILESTONES
Nov 2004: First-generation Swift – a world strategic model – is launched in Japan
Feb 2005: Production begins in Hungary
May 2005: Production begins in India
Jun 2005: Production begins in China
Sep 2005: The Swift Sport is released in Japan
Nov 2005: The Swift wins the 2006 RJC Car of the Year Award and in 2005–2006 the Japan Car of the Year Special ‘Most Fun’ Award
Jan 2006: The Swift wins the 2006 Indian Car of the Year Award
Jun 2008: Total worldwide production reaches one million units
Jun 2010: Production of the new (second-generation) Swift for Europe begins at Magyar Suzuki in Hungary
Sep 2010: The new (second-generation) Swift is launched in Japan
Nov 2010: The new Swift wins the 2011 RJC Car of the Year Award
Jan 2011: Total worldwide sales reach two million units
Mar 2012: Production begins in Thailand
Jan 2013: Total worldwide sales reach three million units