What Future for the Suzuki Swift in a Fading Hatchback Market?

Suzuki Vietnam is teasing the return of the Swift to the local market after more than a year of absence. With this comeback, will the Swift bring a fresh breeze to the B-segment hatchback market?

A New Look, New Power

Although the leaked images only highlight the main headlights and grille, it is believed that this is the new generation B-segment hatchback that has been launched in many markets.

The headlights are now positioned lower, and the grille is also reduced in size, creating a modern feel. The front bumper features more cuts and creases, but the fog lights are removed, indicating that this model is aimed directly at the urban environment. At the rear, the LED taillights also feature a new design.

The new Suzuki Swift in Australia (right) now features a redesigned look compared to its predecessor (left). Images: Car Experts, Suzuki.

Step inside, and you’ll notice that Suzuki has added a touch of modernity by tweaking the central display, now a prominent 9.7-inch unit. The climate control panel and function keys on the center console have also been repositioned and reduced in size.

However, the classic and practical touches remain, with a manual handbrake, fabric seats, similar to the Ertiga Hybrid and XL7 Hybrid, still present in the Swift.

In the Australian market, this model is equipped with a mild hybrid engine, featuring a 1.2L 3-cylinder gasoline engine that produces a maximum output of 82 horsepower and a maximum torque of 112 Nm, combined with an electric motor (3.1 horsepower, 60 Nm) and a small battery pack.

If introduced in Vietnam, this would be Suzuki’s next “green” engine offering and the only model in the segment with a mild-hybrid powertrain.

Is There Still Room for the Swift?

While the hatchback segment in Vietnam may not be as booming as in Europe, it used to be a popular choice, offering more cargo space and practicality to small cars.

A few years ago, the VinFast Fadil was the top-selling model in this segment, with hatchback sales surpassing 45,000 units in 2021.

However, after the Fadil was discontinued, the Suzuki Swift, along with other B-segment hatchbacks, lost their competitive edge against sedans and SUVs in the same price range. In its last sales report, Suzuki Vietnam sold 225 units of the Swift in the first seven months of 2024.

The VinFast Fadil used to be the best-selling hatchback in the market. Image: Hội An.

By July 2024, Suzuki removed the B-segment hatchback from its product lineup, and Toyota discontinued the Yaris, leaving the segment sparse, with the Mazda2 Sport as the last remaining model struggling to carry the weight of a fading empire.

Today’s consumers favor SUVs and MPVs for their spacious cabins, large trunks, and affordable prices. B-segment SUVs priced between 500 and 700 million VND can meet all these criteria, and some models even fall below the 500 million VND mark.

On the other hand, hatchbacks tend to be priced higher than their sedan counterparts. For example, the Mazda2 1.5L Premium sedan is priced at 508 million VND, while the Mazda2 Sport hatchback costs 544 million VND.

A quick calculation reveals that these hatchbacks don’t offer much of a price advantage, yet they fall short in terms of size and versatility.

The departure of the Toyota Yaris and Suzuki Swift in 2024 left the Mazda2 as the last standing representative in the B-segment hatchback category. Images: Hoàng Phạm, Hoàng Tuấn.

Achieving monthly sales figures of a thousand units for the Swift in this comeback seems unlikely, as the market now offers a wide range of new choices with attractive pricing and technology.

While the Suzuki model may not appeal to the masses, it still has a distinct customer base. With its new design and powertrain, the B-segment hatchback could attract new customers who prioritize green technology and fuel efficiency.

If priced below 600 million VND, the Swift could still achieve moderate sales figures as a more affordable alternative for customers who appreciate the small, sporty style similar to the BMW Mini Cooper.

In summary, when Suzuki brings back the full range of products this year, the Swift is likely to be the brand’s third best-selling model in Vietnam, following the XL7 Hybrid and Fronx – a mainstream MPV and an A-segment SUV.

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