Cash-for-clunkers: Suzuki takes initiative

Australia runs one of the oldest private car fleets in the developed world. A number of auto makers have been pushing for federal government action in the form of a cash-for-clunkers scrappage scheme, as yet to no avail.

Now, Suzuki has started one off its own bat, offering buyers bonuses ranging from $1500 to $4000 as part of a trade-in scheme to boost sales in what is tipped to be a sluggish July market.

Suzuki has been vociferous in its advocacy of a local scheme similar to those being employed in Europe, the US and New Zealand.

The idea is simple: give buyers a cash incentive to trade in their dangerous, thirsty, smelly old car for a safer, more frugal and fragrant new car.

And while most government-run scrappage schemes restrict the bonuses to trade-ins at least nine years old, Suzuki is offering the bonuses on pretty much anything. The only major catch is the trade-in vehicle must be registered and interested parties need to act fast because the program will end on July 31.

Base model Swift buyers get $1500; upmarket Swift S buyers get $2000 while Swift Sport and all SX4 buyers get $2500.

On the company's SUV range, Jimny Sierra buyers get $1500 while those who stretch to a Vitara get $2000 on the SWB three-door, $2500 on the LWB 5-door, $3000 on four-cylinder Prestige models and $4000 on the top-end V6 Prestige.

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