2 million Suzuki Swifts on world's streets

India's much-loved hatch is making news internationally as well, clocking a sale of 20 lakh units globally.

When the Suzuki Swift was launched internationally at the Paris Motor Show in 2004, its makers needed a strong product tailor-made for Europe to help establish itself as a serious hatchback player. In hindsight, it seems that the move has worked out beautifully for the Japanese carmaker, this after news of Swift sales hitting a global mark of 20 lakh units has just filtered through. What cannot be ignored however is that Indian buyers have the biggest share of the car's global sales, currently at 39 percent. In contrast, 27 percent of the Swift's sales come from Europe, 15 percent from Japan and the remaining from the rest of the world, which includes more than 120 countries.

The Swift was the first product of Suzuki’s programme to strengthen its position as both a leading compact car manufacturer in Europe, and the sporty image of the car seemed to find instant favour with the hatch-loving buyers there. In India, where it racked up sales by the lakhs and fortified Maruti Suzuki's position at the top, the Swift also kickstarted the revolution in the now famed premium-hatchback space, forcing other international carmakers to respond with their products. Maruti Suzuki had also recently commemorated its own personal sales record of 10 lakh cars sold, aptly with a Special Edition Swift in September last year, tipping its hat at the car that had given the company's future a shot in the arm.

The buzz on the street is high for the Indian launch of the third-generation Swift, seen here in the pictures. The car was launched in Europe in September 2010, and is expected to make its entry on Indian streets in the forthcoming months. Here's playing the wait-and-watch game!