Pak Suzuki Swift which was long positioned at the bottom of domestic sales chart has achieved yet another milestone. The vehicle recorded its lowest-ever sales in a fiscal year with 1,828 units sold during FY2019-20 averaging just 152 units a month. This is 64% less than 5,050 units the company was able to sell in FY2018-19 averaging 420 units a month.
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Previously the worst ever figures were 2,353 units which were posted in its first year after launch– FY2009-10, since Swift saw a hard time picking up sales and Pak Suzuki had to discontinue the power-packed Cultus VXL in order to boost Swift sales. The Swift then recorded its highest ever sales in FY2011-12 with 7,040 units however since then it hasn’t able to come even close to achieving those figures. Suzuki Swift sales received a further blow in shape of the COVID-19 pandemic as the entire car sales in the country came to a halt. So far in this calendar year, the Swift has been able to find just 490 buyers.
Introduced back in January 2010 when this generation was already discontinued in international markets, the 2nd gen Swift has now entered 11th year of production in Pakistan. This is also the 6th Pak Suzuki production model to be dragged for a period of over a decade.
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Elsewhere, the Suzuki Swift is currently in its 4th generation that was officially launched in Japan on the 27th of December 2016 and has already entered its fourth year of production. Earlier this year, the 4th gen Swift received a facelift thus pushing the 2nd gen local assembled Swift to become even older.
The 2nd generation Swift in Pakistan has gone past its prime long ago. It was already introduced quite late in Pakistan and since then has remained almost entirely unchanged. And for a price tag that exceeds 2.0 million, the Swift remains among the few local assembled cars that doesn’t even come equipped with a single airbag. For how many more years this model of Swift will be sold in Pakistan remain unknown, however with an ever-increasing price tag, the sales don’t seem to be improving anywhere in future.
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Last year, images of new Swift hybrid were seen testing on our roads as reportedly Pak Suzuki was conducting feasibility study to launch the 4th generation Swift in Pakistan. However with the current economic slowdown, chances of introduction of a new car look bleak.
A computer animation professional with over 23 years of industry experience having served in leading organizations, TV channels & production facilities in Pakistan. An avid car enthusiast and petrolhead with an affection to deliver quality content to help shape opinions. Formerly written for PakWheels as well as major publications including Dawn. Founder of CarSpiritPK.com
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