Maruti Suzuki Swift completes 10 years in the Indian market

The Maruti Suzuki Swift has completed 10 years in the Indian market. It was launched here in May 2005 after being introduced in Japan in November 2004 and since then has been a run-away success for the Indo-Japanese automaker clocking over 1.3 million units since its arrival.

The car introduced the Indian market to the world of premium hatchbacks and for an extended period was the industry benchmark for what all should go into a successful B+ segment hatchback. The car underwent a major revision in 2011 and then another one last year. It is one of the volume heavy models for Maruti Suzuki as it manages to sell over 15,000 Swifts every month.

The Swift has also been the base for a sedan and an MPV. The sedan is the Swift Dzire which began life in normal size but is now a compact sedan. The older model is still on sale as the Swift Dzire Tour but is sold primarily to the fleet market. The Ertiga is the MPV that has been derived from the Swift and is a popular model both among private buyers as well as the fleet market.

Commenting on the occasion, RS Kalsi executive director, marketing and sales said, “Over 1.3 million Swift cars have been bought in India so far. It has transformed the landscape of the Indian auto industry and inspired new products, market segments and categories. Over the years, the Swift has evolved in features, looks and technology, often defining the changes in aspiration and preferences of Indian car customers.”

Just to recap, the Maruti Suzuki Swift is offered in the Indian market with a 1.2-litre petrol engine and a 1.3-litre diesel engine that produce 83bhp/114Nm and 74bhp/190Nm respectively. Both engines are offered only with a five-speed manual though we believe that the petrol motor with get the option of an AMT later this year.