Suzuki to double Alto sales

SUZUKI says it will double sales of its Alto micro-car from this month when more plentiful supplies of vehicles come on line from the Maruti Suzuki factory that produces it in India.

The Alto was launched as Australia’s first affordable sub-light-sized model last year and remains one of the nation’s cheapest new vehicles at $12,990 driveaway, but supply constraints have limited sales to an average of fewer than 250 sales a month so far this year.

The flagship GLX grade, which has a list price of $12,490 plus on-road costs and adds electronic stability control, has a waiting list of up to three months.

Suzuki Australia general manager Tony Devers said that will change from May, after a doubling of Alto shipments sent from India since February.

Suzuki Australia faces a six-month wait between Alto orders and delivery – double that of a similar model from Japan – due in part to a six-week freight period.

“We’ve done very little Alto advertising because we haven’t had stock,” said Mr Devers. “I’m now confident we’ll sell 400 or 500 a month. We’ll double Alto sales from May.”