First locally assembled Suzuki Swift commissioned in Ghana

Toyota Tsusho Manufacturing Ghana Co. Limited has commissioned the first locally assembled Suzuki Swift in Ghana.

The company began assembling the Suzuki Swift vehicle in Ghana in September 2022.

This is one of the initiatives based on the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Cooperation in Developing Automotive Industry signed by Toyota Tsusho and the Government of Ghana in August 2019 at the Seventh Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD7) in Yokohama, Japan.

Speaking at the ceremony to mark the commissioning of the vehicle, the caretaker minister for Trade and Industry, Mr Samuel Abu Jinapor, said the government was working with development partners and industry players to develop and implement vehicle financing schemes to make locally assembled vehicles affordable.

He noted that the newly established Ghana Automotive Industry Development Council, was expected to sustain the industry's long-term development and that the Automotive Development Centre, which serves as the Council's Secretariat, would provide Policy Support, Vehicle Financing, Investment and Customs Facilitation, Training and Skills Development, Vehicle Testing and Certification, as well as a Showroom for exhibiting locally assembled vehicles.

The Managing Officer of Suzuki Motor Corporation, Koichi Suzuki, stated that Suzuki sales in Africa increased by 60% to 116,000 units, while sales in Ghana increased by 63% to over 1,000 units.

He stated that the alliance was a critical component of Suzuki's African strategy and that the company would continue to strengthen its presence in Africa, particularly in Ghana.

The Suzuki Swift features Swift-like styling, nimble handling, drivability and excellent fuel economy.