Obviously, the 15% increase displayed does not mean much. “These are the cars we sold in 2021, compared to 2020” confides Stéphane Magnin, commercial director of Suzuki France who knows that the reference is rather in 2019, where the Japanese had registered more than 30,000 cars, a record. “And in this case, we are down, since we should end 2021 with almost 25,000 sales, even if the final figures are not yet known”. Yet the boss of the trade keeps his broad smile. And its dealers too.
Semiconductors: not all countries are experiencing the crisis
This electronic components crisis has of course shaken up order books throughout the past year, but if it has affected Europe a lot, it has tarnished markets like India much less or Suzuki posted excellent scores throughout the past year. “Simply because the cars in this country are less technologically advanced and require less semiconductors.” It is also on the subcontinent that Suzuki-Maruti, the local brand is preparing a 100% electric car. It is a well-known silhouette in France since it is none other than the Wagon-R, sold here at the turn of the 2000s. Unfortunately, this watt-powered kei-car has no chance of reaching ‘ours. “It would have to be brought into line with European standards and as a result, it would cost far too much”.
However, a 100% electric Suzuki is in the shelves and it should be designed with Toyota. But this watt-powered car wouldn’t be a simple rebadge like the Across and Swace, which are Toyota Rav4s and Corolla Touring Sport. Cars that Suzuki France missed in 2021 to serve its customers. “We are dependent on deliveries from Toyota.” And the Japanese giant thinks first of its own customers before those of Suzuki.
dealers in love
These delivery delays, like those affecting Swifts and Ignis, even if they do not exceed 3 or 4 months do not seem to upset the brand’s 123 dealers in France. they awarded Suzuki the first prize in the “builders’ love rating” awarded by the networks of all brands. As a token of thanks, Suzuki France has set an unambitious target of nearly 24,000 vehicles for sale this year. Including a few Jimnys, whose delivery times now reach one year.