The Maruti Swift recently crossed the 300,000 unit cumulative domestic sales mark within just three years and nine months, making it the fastest selling model in its segment. Launched in May 2005, the Swift managed to achieve this landmark figure in mid-February 2009.

While the petrol version has been available since the time of the launch, the diesel version powered by Fiat’s 1.3-litre Multijet engine was launched in January 2007. According to Maruti, the diesel version contributes to about 60 percent of total sales, with the balance coming from the 1.3-litre petrol version. In the current financial year, the Swift has sold 91,288 units (April 2008 to January 2009), against 71,113 units last year, representing a growth of 28 percent.

Demand for the diesel Swift has consistently outstripped supply and Maruti has taken time to ramp up production of the Multi-jet engine, as well as increase production of the car itself.

The record sales figure relates only to the hatchback version of the Swift and does not include its saloon version, the Dzire, which is based on the same platform and has also been selling very strongly.

Rival models such as the Hyundai Santro, which was launched in September 1998, took four years and seven months to hit the 300,000 landmark. The Tata Indica launched in December 1998 took more than five years and three months to achieve the same sales landmark. Even Maruti’s own Alto model, launched in September 2000, took over four years and nine months to sell as many cars.