National sales for Suzuki were up 16 percent on September, and 14 percent on August sales.

Sales in Suzuki Australia's markets increased 30 percent on September figures, and were 38 percent higher than the August result.

Suzuki Australia marketing manager Kim Stonehouse attributes October's boom to two factors: post-Federal election buying and smart positioning of the smallest car in Suzuki's fleet, the Alto.

"Without a doubt the Federal election hurt September sales, especially with widespread debate on the effects of GST on imported cars," he said.

"Then there was the contentious issue of the Labor Party's mandatory five percent tax on four-wheel-drives.

"October's figures suggest that many would-be four-wheel-drive customers delayed their purchase until after the election. Consequently, we posted our highest sales ever for the four wheel drive Grand Vitara range in October."

The other factor governing the success of the Suzuki range was the strategic pricing of its 1.0L Suzuki Alto in competition to the newly released Daihatsu Sirion.

Priced at $9990 driveaway, the Alto is currently Australia's most inexpensive four cylinder car. (Review)

"The Alto is great value, and sales have really taken off," Mr Stonehouse said.

"The fact that customers are getting a genuine five-door hatch for a sub-S10,000 price makes it hard to go past."

With the imminent release of the brand new Jimny to Suzuki Australia markets, and the arrival of a new-look Baleno range early in 1999, Mr Stonehouse says Suzuki is predicting a strong six months ahead.