SEVEN new product lines are to be introduced over the next two years in a dramatic bid to double Suzuki's sales volumes in Britain. The Japanese company's UK subsidiary has been set a target of 40,000 annual registrations as part of plans to achieve a 2% share of the total European new car market.

'We are confident of matching these expectations. With a string of new models, we know our brand is capable of sustaining substantial growth,' David Seward, Suzuki GB sales and marketing director told Fleet NewsNet. Following the launch of the new Wagon R+ model, the UK range is to be swelled by an all-new C-segment car to be introduced at the Paris Motor Show in October. To go in British showrooms at the same time, it will be an additional model positioned between the Swift supermini and the Vitara four-wheel drive ranges.

At the opposite end of the line-up, a new flagship Suzuki is to extend the successful Grand Vitara range during 2001. Based on the XL6 concept revealed at January's Detroit Motor Show, the £25,000-plus model will be the most expensive Suzuki yet and is intended as a serious rival for Mitsubishi's Shogun and the Land Rover Discovery. Seward declined to give details of other new models due for launch before the end of 2002, but added that 2.0-litre versions of the Grand Vitara long wheelbase are now being evaluated for introduction in both manual and automatic forms.