MOTORING NEWS - Suzuki Auto South Africa is set to end its blockbuster year with the highest annual sales on record.

The Japanese compact vehicle specialist sold 1 045 vehicles in November, making it the company's best-ever sales month and the second time this year that it has reached sales of over 1 000 units.

Suzuki first broke the 1 000 unit per month barrier in August, the same month it welcomed its 50 000th South African customer. 

Prior to establishing this new record, Suzuki's best-ever sales month was in July 2017, when it welcomed 744 new customers.

In order to deal with the growth in sales and interest, Suzuki has expanded its dealer network with six new full-service outlets in 2017. 

The company opened dealerships in Bassonia, Constantiaberg, Queenstown, Table View, Welkom and Witbank, and several new dealerships are planned for 2018.

While most vehicles in the Suzuki line-up are performing above expectation, it is the Suzuki Ignis that has brought many new customers into the fold.

The Ignis's compact urban crossover design and affordable price tag has won it many new customers and several nominations and awards in South Africa and abroad. 

One of these was runner-up in the Urban category of the World Car of the Year Awards.

It is also a finalist in the South African Car of the Year competition for 2018.

The company expects December sales to remain strong despite the holiday break, as customers purchase vehicles to benefit from the extended five year or 200 000km mechanical warranty on offer for all passenger vehicles until the end of the year.

Suzuki Baleno.

Suzuki has promised to hold all price increases for the remainder of the year, despite a general increase in vehicle prices in the auto industry in the fourth quarter.

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