Suzuki revealed as the ‘most improved organisation’ in annual UK Customer Satisfaction Index (UKCSI) for July 2016

• Suzuki revealed as the ‘most improved organisation’ in annual UK Customer Satisfaction Index (UKCSI) for July 2016, out of 227 brands, including 24 carmakers
• Suzuki adds 9.1 points to July 2015 score and climbs to 27th place overall
• The bi-annual study is a nationwide measure of satisfaction and covers 13 different sectors

Suzuki GB PLC is delighted to announce that it has been recognised as the ‘most improved organisation’ in The Institute of Customer Service’s annual UK Customer Satisfaction Index (UKCSI) for July 2016. 

A national measure of sentiment across the country, the research asks over 10,000 consumers to rate their experiences of dealing with more than 200 different companies across 13 sectors, including brands in the motoring industry.  

Compared to the same study in July 2015, Suzuki has since added 9.1 points to give a score of 82.4, which saw the carmaker climb to 27th place overall. 

The year-on-year increase in the number of points was greater than any other of the 226 companies classified, and the biggest improvement out of all of the 24 car manufacturers that took part in the study. During the same period, the automotive sector equally saw a 0.6 point-rise in customer satisfaction. 

The significant jump in the latest ranking has been assisted by the launch of the nationwide Suzuki Service Promise initiative last summer. It is designed to ensure that vehicle owners receive a consistently high standard of care across its entire network of Service dealers when they take the car for routine servicing or repair.

Denis Houston, Aftersales Director at Suzuki GB PLC, said: “We are delighted with the results shown in the Customer Satisfaction Index and this clearly reflects our ongoing investment and the great lengths that Suzuki goes to in order to ensure that every motorist receives the very highest level of service. 

We are extremely pleased that the effort of our dealer network has paid off, and we will continue to strive for even better scores in 2017.” 

Suzuki announces that a long standing dealership chain is to open it's fifth Suzuki dealership in the City of Preston.

• City of Preston in Lancashire chosen for fifth Chapelhouse Suzuki dealership in North West of England
• Extensive refurbishment of existing vehicle showroom on Blackpool Road  
• Opening of new premises coincides with group’s latest great value car swap event

Suzuki GB PLC is pleased to announce the opening of Chapelhouse Suzuki Preston in Lancashire. The latest addition joins the Chapelhouse Motor Group’s four other existing Suzuki franchises located across the North West of England, namely in Southport, St Helens, Warrington and Wigan.

Situated close to the city centre, the dealership on Blackpool Road has been modernised as part of an extensive refurbishment programme. The result is a ten-car showroom offering contemporary surroundings and first-class hospitality for customers who wish to view and test drive models from the latest award-winning Suzuki range, spanning the highly economical and low emission Celerio City car through to the dynamic Vitara S Compact SUV. 

Furthermore, visitors are hosted by a team of Suzuki specialists who bring over twenty five years of knowledge of the marque, and include a dedicated Motability representative. Motorists equally have access to separate parts and servicing departments, and all repairs, maintenance and MOTs (free for the life of a Suzuki vehicle) are carried out on site for added customer convenience.

Dale Wyatt, Sales and Marketing Director at Suzuki GB PLC, said: “We are delighted to see the continued expansion of the Chapelhouse Suzuki franchise, which demonstrates the scale of success that they have enjoyed so far whilst working with our brand. It is also very encouraging to see the return of a sustained Suzuki presence in Preston, as this area of the UK represents a strategically important customer base.”  

Chris Layton, Group Operations Director for Chapelhouse Motor Group, added: "Preston is a key location as we continue to grow the presence of Suzuki in the North West. Being part of one of the largest local economies in the region, this allows us to expand the appeal of the brand to a greater number of motorists within the immediate area. With the arrival of the all-new Baleno hatchback in the coming months, the timing could not be better.”

For even more affordable motoring, the opening of Chapelhouse Suzuki Preston coincides with the group’s regular car swap event where drivers can exchange their used Suzuki for a new model at a discounted price, or for another Approved Used car from the wide selection available on the forecourt.

Alternatively, customers can take advantage of the highly attractive finance packages which are on offer across the vehicle manufacturer’s model line-up this winter. For example, the five-door Celerio SZ3 5dr DUALJET can be owned for £105 per month spread over 42 instalments, and the range-topping S-Cross SZ5 1.6 DDiS ALLGRIP TCSS at £269 per month over a four year period based on an initial deposit of £2,959.

The recently launched 1.4-litre Boosterjet-engined Vitara S ALLGRIP Compact SUV, with optional automatic transmission, is available from only £245 per month with a deposit of £2,909 and a final payment of £7,743. 

Suzuki to show the world the new Baleno in production form, as well as other models within it's range at Geneva.

New Baleno – Suzuki’s ideal compact hatchback

The full production version of the all new Baleno will be on display at the Geneva Motor Show from March 1^stand will be launched in the UK in June of this year.

Since manufacturing its first car in 1955, the Suzulight, Suzuki has produced a variety of compact cars that deliver value much greater than their sizes. Developed using the company’s compact car expertise, the Baleno has an elegant and powerful design, a spacious cabin and luggage space plus a host of new technologies.

The new technologies include a rigid, lightweight new generation platform, highly responsive 1.0-litre direct-injection turbo BOOSTERJET engine, and 1.2-litre SHVS (Smart Hybrid Vehicle by Suzuki) powertrain featuring engine assist from an Integrated Starter Generator (ISG) connected to a Lithium ion Battery. All of these contribute to a fun yet fuel efficient driving experience, giving the Baleno much more than just good looks and convenience.

In addition to fulfilling fuel efficiency and dynamic performance expectations, the layout has been optimised and various technologies used to reduce weight in order to meet the rigorous size and weight requirements specific to compact cars.

Further details will be available on March 1^st at the Suzuki press booth and also via media.suzuki.co.uk. If you are attending the show this year, we look forward to welcoming you in Hall 4 on stand 4251.

JD Power has named Suzuki as the second highest ranked volume brand for overall customer service satisfaction.

J.D. Power has named Suzuki as the second highest ranked volume brand for overall customer service satisfaction in their 2015 UK Customer Service Index Study^SM. Suzuki and Toyota tie second with a score of 759 points out of a possible 1,000, significantly above the volume brand average of 737.

The inaugural study measures UK customer satisfaction with their service experience at a franchised dealer facility for maintenance and repair work. 

The study explores customer satisfaction with their service dealer by examining five measures (listed in order of importance): service quality (26%); service initiation (23%); service advisor (19%); vehicle pick-up (17%); and service facility (16%). Satisfaction is calculated on a 1,000-point scale.

The CSI Study is a comprehensive analysis of the vehicle service experience and is conducted by J.D. Power in 16 countries worldwide, providing detailed after-sales solutions for automakers and dealerships. The 2015 UK Customer Service Index Study is based on 9,091 respondents who purchased their new vehicle between April 2012 and March 2014. The study was fielded between March and May 2015.

Dr Axel Sprenger, senior director of European automotive operations at J.D Power, comments: “The common perception is that the luxury brands are able to deliver a more satisfying customer experience, but the study shows this is not the case,” “Any brand and any dealership can provide a consistently positive customer experience if they make it a priority and have the people and processes in place.  When they do, they likely will see an increase in revenue and will be able to build customer loyalty.”

The 2015 UK CSI Study finds that satisfaction with dealer service leads to customer loyalty and advocacy.

Key findings across all brands in the study include:

• Satisfaction among the 93 percent of customers who are able to get an appointment on the day they desire averages 768, compared with 576 when an appointment is not available on their desired day.
• While 25 percent of customers would prefer to schedule a service appointment over the Internet, only 15 percent actually do. The Internet as a method to schedule an appointment is expected to increase with the emergence of mobile apps, which make the process faster and easier.
• The No. 1 reason for choosing a dealer for service is prior experience with the service department (35%), followed by location (34%) and prior experience with the sales department (32%). Fewer than 3 percent of customers indicate selecting their service facility due to advertising or promotions/coupons.
• Though only 31 percent of dealers recommend additional service work to their customers, when they do, 62 percent of customers have the recommended work done. Satisfaction is substantially higher among the 78 percent of customers who are recommended service and have it done, compared with those who do not have the recommended work done (760 vs. 693, respectively).
• Amenities offered at the dealership are key drivers of satisfaction with the service facility, as 24 percent of customers stay at the dealership while service is performed on their vehicle.

UK SALES - SUZUKI - Record sales achieved with more too come as two all new models arrive.

• 37,395 units sold in 2014.
• 13 per cent growth in the UK year on year
• 1.5 per cent market share
• Two all new models, Celerio and Vitara, available by the end of the first Quarter.

Suzuki GB PLC is pleased to announce a record year for sales in the UK which reached 37,395 units, an increase of more than 4,300 cars over 2013 and representing a 13 per cent growth year on year. Global sales were very positive too at 2.8 million units plus 2 million motorcycles.

Well known as the small car experts, sales of the Swift Supermini reached over 11,000 units last year making it the most successful year for Swift since the current model was introduced in 2010. It was also the most successful year for Swift in the UK since 2008.

Swift is available from just £8,999 for the SZ2 three door model up to £14,499 for the multi award winning 1.6-litre Sport.

Celerio, Suzuki’s all new City car will be launched in February and will continue Suzuki’s trademark compact car ease of drive but with an elevated driving position, interior space that surpasses most conventional A-segment cars and also offers a class leading luggage capacity of 254L.

Standard specification highlights for Celerio include six airbags (Driver, passenger, side and curtain), ESP*, air conditioning, alloy wheels, DAB Radio, CD Tuner, USB and Bluetooth connectivity.

At launch, Celerio offers low CO₂ emissions of 99g/km and fuel consumption of 65.7mpg on the EC combined cycle. In April 2015, a new engine will be available offering even higher fuel economy and CO₂emissions that fall to just 84g/km thanks to the introduction of Suzuki’s new Dualjet engine technology.

Following soon after Celerio and more than 25 years after the original model’s debut, the all new Vitara compact SUV has smaller dimensions to meet contemporary needs and incorporates Suzuki’s cutting edge ALLGRIP four wheel drive system as an option. Advanced safety and connectivity equipment is available and Vitara enables owners to express themselves through various personalisation options.

Available with either 1.6-petrol or 1.6 DDiS engines, the new Vitara goes into production at the Magyar Suzuki plant in Hungary in the near future and will make its sales debut in Europe in April. Vitara will later be exported around the world as Suzuki’s global compact SUV.

Suzuki re-aligns its SX4 S-Cross range, adding new models.

Suzuki has refined the SX4 S-Cross range after 12 months on sale; removing the SZ4 model, and adding 1.6 SZ-T CVT and 1.6 SZ-T ALLGRIP models to the range. 

All S-Cross models come with a high level of equipment as standard including seven airbags, ESP and Tyre Pressure Monitoring as well as Daytime Running Lights (DRL), alloy wheels, cruise control with speed limiter, air conditioning, heated door mirrors, black protective skid plates and black wheel arch extensions.

SZ-T adds satellite navigation with DAB digital radio, polished 17-inch alloy wheels, Dual Zone automatic air conditioning, front fog lamps, Bluetooth connectivity, rear privacy glass, silver roof rails and silver skid plates, rear parking camera and rear parking proximity sensors.

The SZ-T model was designed specifically with Fleet buyers in mind; although it has also been proving very popular with retail customers.

Suzuki’s internal research shows that 70% of customers who purchased SX4 S-Cross chose SZ-T or SZ5 versions. Expanding the SZ-T range to include petrol powered CVT and ALLGRIP models will offer future customers a wider choice of higher specification versions.

In addition to the above, some pricing changes have been made across the range. Changes include a £500 increase on petrol models (except SZ-T, which has a £250 increase). Some DDiS models also receive a reduction of £250 (SZ-T and SZ-T ALLGRIP), resulting in the customer’s cost of choosing a DDiS S-Cross over a petrol S-Cross being reduced to £1,500.

The updated SX4 S-Cross range is as follows: -

Model	CO2 emissions	Price
1.6 SZ3 Manual	127 g/km	£15,499
1.6 SZ-T Manual	127 g/km	£17,999
1.6 SZ-T CVT	125g/km	£19,349
1.6 SZ5 Manual	127 g/km	£20,249
1.6 SZ5 CVT	125 g/km	£21,599
1.6 SZ-T ALLGRIP Manual	135g/km	£19,799
1.6 SZ5 ALLGRIP Manual	135 g/km	£22,049
1.6 SZ5 ALLGRIP CVT	130 g/km	£22,949
1.6 DDiS SZ3 Manual	110 g/km	£16,999
1.6 DDiS SZ4 Manual	110 g/km	£17,999
1.6 DDiS SZ-T Manual	110 g/km	£19,499
1.6 DDiS SZ5 Manual	110 g/km	£21,749
1.6 DDiS SZ-T ALLGRIP Manual	114 g/km	£21,299
1.6 DDiS SZ5 ALLGRIP Manual	114 g/km	£23,549

SEPTEMBER SALES - SUZUKI CARS - Best ever Q3 for the city car & suv maker.

Suzuki GB PLC is pleased to announce record registrations for the third Quarter of this year at 11,705 units, beating the previous closest record by 52 units set in 2004. It is also a record market share for the period at 1.74 per cent.

It was a record September for new registrations too with sales of 8,070 cars, overtaking the previous best figure by 150 units, also achieved in 2004. Year to date, Suzuki has sold 31,431 cars making it the highest figure ever recorded for the brand in the first nine months of the year. Suzuki aims to achieve more than 37,000 sales by the end of this year.

The high upturn in sales over the last nine months has proved yet again that demand remains strong for Suzuki’s stylish range of models in the UK. This year, sales of the Zero VED Alto city car have again made it the most popular car in the range with 12,000 units sold.

The good news for Suzuki buyers continues into the winter as well with a further extension of its VAT Free offers now running until December 31. Alto, Splash, Swift (except Sport) and the outgoing SX4 models are all included and represent significant savings.

Looking to the near future, Suzuki will introduce two new models in the fastest growing segments of the market, one of which is the Celerio City car that will go on sale in February 2015. This all-new model will be produced in Thailand and offers room for five occupants, class leading luggage capacity and exceptional fuel economy.

Unveiled at the Paris Motor Show this month, the new Vitara SUV model will go on sale next April. Vitara will be available with a choice of petrol or diesel engines, optional 4x4 capability via Suzuki’s ALLGRIP technology and will also be offered with a wide range of personalisation options. The new car will be built for Europe in Hungary at Magyar Suzuki alongside S-Cross and Swift.