Suzuki Swift Topples Toyota Hilux, Vw Polo Vivo As January Vehicle Sales Surge

January was a positive month for the South African new vehicle market, and particularly for Suzuki.

Not only did the brand surge past Volkswagen to achieve second place in the manufacturer ranking with a record monthly sales figure of 6,399, but its Swift hatchback emerged as the countrys best-selling vehicle overall.

With unit sales of 2,628, the newly launched hatchback toppled the usual front-runners, with the Toyota Hilux 2,557 and Volkswagen Polo Vivo 2,549 taking second and third overall.

This came as the month saw passenger car sales surge by 18.3 year-on-year on the back of strong demand from the rental vehicle industry, which accounted for nearly one in five sales in the segment, according to Naamsa.

Interestingly, 1,219 Suzuki Swifts were sold into the rental sector, almost half the total sales number for the month.