SUZUKI is looking for a significant uptake from small businesses next year when its new C-segment crossover – called S-Cross – bows into the company car user-chooser sector.
The newcomer was previewed at the recent Paris Salon in September as the attractive S-Cross concept.
The new Suzuki will put the company squarely in the compact SUV Qashqai-Yeti segment for company car drivers and small businesses looking for something slightly different as their next business car rather than a conventional hatchback.
The production version of the Suzuki S-Cross is being designed as a roomy and efficient all new ‘crossover’ SUV, with low CO2 engines and low cost of ownership, traits that will specifically appeal to business car managers.
The new model will be sourced out of Suzuki’s factory in Hungary and will come with a choice of petrol and diesel engines. Suzuki will provide the petrol power. Diesel units will be supplied by Fiat.
A next generation, hi-tech 4WD system, developed up from the Suzuki Kizashi saloon, will also be part of the new package, as an option to standard front-drive.
First UK sales are set for next winter, sometime in the October-December timeframe, following a show debut either at Geneva or Frankfurt.
Currently Suzuki’s UK business is heavily retail-orientated. Only 12% is into the business company car market and with UK sales expected to reach 25,000 units this year, it’s still a small player in the business car market.
On the other hand, customer loyalty is unusually high and Suzuki can offer a range of small, practical, fuel-efficient cars that can be spectacular value.
Case in point, the Splash 1.0-litre SZ2, with 60.1 mpg and 109 g/km which is just £7777 on the road until the end of December.
The Swift 1.2-litre SZ2 3-door is also keen value at £8888 OTR (again, until the end of December), with 56.5 mpg combined and 116 g/km in CO2 emissions.
Suzuki recently added business car leasing to its portfolio with the launch of Suzuki Contract Hire – see our news story Suzuki raise their game for business drivers and managers.