Suzuki targets CX-3, HR-V with Vitara

SUZUKI'S competition to win a new Vitara has highlighted greater potential demand for the new SUV, after a ‘design and win’ competition attracted the target number of entries in less than half of its duration.

The competition invites customers to submit their preferred combination of exterior, interior and wheel colour, along with an optional comment, for their chance to win a Vitara.

Suzuki Australia general manager Andrew Moore told GoAuto the competition had already generated “really good feedback on the vehicle,” with more positive responses than expected.

“We exceeded our target number of entries in 40 per cent of the time that the competition is open for,” he said.

“We have had a heap of people commenting about the car, saying they can’t wait and they want it.

“Normally, you run a comp and you expect a comment one in every 20 (entries), but we are getting one in every five. Very positive things like ‘yes, I'm getting it, when can I buy one?&rsquo.”

With increasing interest in the new model, Mr Moore said the company is very excited about the arrival of the new model next month, but despite the positive early signs, sales targets are currently tied to production constraints.

“I'm constantly reconsidering how many we can sell, but it's always held back by how many we can get,” he said. “I know in the early stages we are going to be restricted to around 300 a month for the first four or five months.”

Production is expected to increase as the Hungarian factory ramps up its output but, as previously reported, Mr Moore said that strong demand could prompt manufacturing of the model at additional Suzuki facilities in Japan.

With increasing Australian stock allocation, Mr Moore said Suzuki would be looking to match or at least get close to the performance of its main rivals, the Mazda CX-3 and Honda's HR-V.

“I'd like to think that if it frees up in six to nine months, we could be doing numbers which are closer to HR-V and CX-3, which is where I want to be,” he said.

After a 14-year hiatus, the Vitara is returning to Australia next month.

Pricing and specifications are expected to be released closer to the local launch.