Suzuki have passed on the Federal Government’s tariff reductions to its customers setting a new pricing benchmark for its award winning Alto and Swift light car models.

“Suzuki has always represented great value for money and the new pricing for Swift and Alto only adds to that well-earned reputation,” said Suzuki Australia General Manager Tony Devers.

The price drop now sees Suzuki’s award-winning Alto break the $12,000 barrier with the entry-level Alto GL now starting from just from just $11,790. In January, Suzuki will offer the GL with a driveaway price of $12,490.

“The Alto GL is a fantastic buy, offering the safety of six airbags and ABS as standard, outstanding fuel economy of only 4.8 litres per 100 kilometres and Suzuki’s legendary reliability,” said Mr Devers.

The top specification Alto GLX now starts at $12,490, or $2000 less than when it first went on sale last year.

“Other manufacturers have additional costs at the entry level end of the new car market for safety features such as ABS braking, but the Alto GLX comes standard with ABS plus the potentially life saving technology of ESP stability control, six airbags, alloy wheels and driving lights,” said Mr Devers.

“Surely this highly specified five door vehicle is the best value package on the market.

“There have been some attempts by other manufacturers recently to match the Alto’s outstanding safety and value, but no-one comes close to the total package. We will offer the GLX in January at a driveaway price of only $12,990.”

Automatic versions add $1,500 to the figure.

The popular Swift range now starts at just $16,290 for the entry level manual, a drop of $500 over 2009 prices. The automatic version is now priced at $17,990.

Customers wanting to add the extra safety of side and curtain airbags to their Swift can do so for only $550, compared to $700 in 2009.

Suzuki still has limited stock of the value packed RE4, which adds alloy wheels, climate control, keyless start, Alcantara upholstery, fog lamps and rear spoiler for just $17,990.

The Swift S, which comes standard with six airbags, fog lamps and stylish alloy wheels, has dropped from last year’s pricing of $18,790 for the manual version of only $17,590.

And the rally inspired Swift Sport, with sports bodykit, punchy 1.6-litre engine and ESP stability control now starts at only $23,990, down $1000 on 2009 figures.

“With these pricing cuts there has never been a better time to test drive a new Suzuki and find out why it has become one of the fastest growing brands in the country,” said Mr Devers.