Today Swift sales hover around the annual figure of 3000 units with the monthly sales volume of fewer than 400 units a month. There are two reasons for a decline in Swift’s sales; first, the used imported hatchbacks from Japan have played a significant role since they fall in more or less same price bracket, plus they are modern and fuel efficient and are better equipped than the locally assembled Swift. Second and the important reason is that the Swift has not changed since its launch. And it has been six years since its launch in Pakistan. The hatchback entered the 7th year of its production in January 2016.
On the other hand, the world is about to get the 4th generation Suzuki Swift. Leaked pictures are already available on the internet, and the car has also been spotted testing. The Pakistani auto consumers were anticipating the 3rd generation Swift. However, that’s not something on the to-do list of Pak Suzuki, at least for now. The least they could have done was to offer a facelift, or even a refresh ( change the front grill and bumpers or something) , which Pak Suzuki specialize in. But all what we get is a new TV commercial.
Pak Suzuki must have spent a handsome amount of money creating this TVC in order to boost the declining sales of Swift. But it would have been much better and practical decision to spend this money in the overall betterment of the vehicle. Either in the form of visual characteristics or the features offered. Pak Suzuki needs to understand that they cannot win customers just by airing a new TVC of the same old thing which is already there in the market since 7 years. This is the age of internet and social media, and information is at the fingertips of people and auto consumers of Pakistan are well aware of automobiles than they were ever. Even the comments on the official Pak Suzuki facebook page display negative comments by people for their new commercial.
The Pakistani Suzuki Swift badly needs an upgrade, not a new TVC!
