The 2nd generation Swift has just become yet another Pak Suzuki vehicle to complete a decade in our country without any significant change whatsoever. Introduced back in January 2010 when this generation was already discontinued in international markets, the Swift has now entered 11th year of production in Pakistan.
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Before the Swift, Pak Suzuki has pride to assemble Ravi/ Bolan, Mehran, Cultus MK-II as well as 5th gen Alto for more than a decade. And while Mehran, Cultus and Alto were discontinued, the Bolan/ Ravi and Swift continue to be on offer.
Initially it saw a hard time to pick up sales and Suzuki had to discontinue the Cultus VXL trim in order to boost the Swift sales. A couple of years later, Swift recorded its highest ever sales in FY2011-12 with 7,040 units sold. Since then however, the figures are nowhere even near. As of the first 6 months of this fiscal year, the Swift has recorded just 1,136 unit sales averaging just 189 units a month.
Related: Suzuki Swift Upgraded in India Priced from INR 5.14 lac
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. Reportedly the 4th gen Swift will likely receive a mid-life refresh (facelift) towards Q1, 2020.
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 comes without a single airbag. For how many more years this model of Swift will be sold in Pakistan is unknown, however with an ever-increasing price tag, the sales doesn’t seem to be improving anywhere in future.
Related: Suzuki Displays Swift Sport Katana Edition at Tokyo Auto Salon
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
