Suzuki's Swift flies off production lines

The Suzuki Swift, the fastest-selling example of the Japanese carmaker's models in New Zealand, is receiving much international praise.

The small car has been the key element in record sales of Suzuki passenger cars in New Zealand this year.

Suzuki sales until the end of October were up 84 per cent over the same period last year, according to official Motor Industry Association figures.

The front-drive Swift has won the Car of the Year award in Iceland, and was named the "most fun" model in the recent Japanese Car of the Year awards.

Launched as Suzuki's first world strategic model, the Swift hatchback is being produced in Japan, Hungary, India and China.

Sales have been well ahead of predictions. Osamu Suzuki, chief executive officer of the Suzuki Motor Corporation, said: "Demand turned out to be far stronger than we imagined."

Japan's top maker of mini-vehicles said it was unable to build the car fast enough in Hungary and India.

Suzuki says the bold styling and good driving characteristics, combined with extensive development testing in Japan and Europe, have made the Swift a globally attractive model.

The range has recently been extended in Japan with a larger-engined Sport version, powered by a 1.6-litre motor and incorporating a specially tuned suspension system.

This high performance model will be added to the New Zealand line-up of 1.5-litre five-door hatchback models next year.

Four versions of the Swift are currently available here, priced from $18,990.