2005 Chicago Auto Show - American Suzuki Showcases Expanded Line of Production and Concept Vehicles
Special Project Cars and Success of Forenza, Forenza Wagon and Reno Make Suzuki a Must-See for Show Goers
Suzuki Experiences Chicago-Area Sales Surge of 84 Percent in 2004
BREA, Calif., Feb. 9 -- American Suzuki Motor Corp. (ASMC) arrives at the 2005 Chicago Auto Show at a unique time in its 20-year history of selling cars and SUVs in the United States. Sales growth, new-product introductions and customer and dealer excitement for the brand are at all-time highs -- thanks, in part, to the popularity of the Suzuki Forenza, Forenza Wagon and Reno.
Suzuki's stop at the Chicago Auto Show comes amid record growth for the automaker -- both nationally and in the Windy City. Sales of Suzuki cars and SUVs in the U.S. surged 26 percent in 2004 over 2003 while Chicago-area sales rose a whopping 84 percent, led by sales of the Forenza and XL-7 SUV.
"Clearly, savvy buyers from Chicagoland and throughout the Midwest are discovering Suzuki cars and SUVs," explained Koichi Suzuki, president of ASMC Automotive Operations. "The dramatic increases in Chicago-area and nationwide sales are proof that Suzuki is earning a reputation as the automaker of choice for value-minded consumers. Thanks to new marketing initiatives and innovative new 2005 models, such as the Reno and Forenza Wagon, we are drawing more first-time Suzuki customers."
As an added incentive to visit the Suzuki booth, Chicago Auto Show visitors can receive a "Smart Start" $500 cash-back coupon, valid at local Chicago-area Suzuki dealerships for the Forenza, Forenza Wagon, Reno or any other 2005 model from February 11 to March 11, 2005.
Showcasing the latest in personalized car styling trends, Suzuki shows Chicagoans its Reno Intruder Concept, an edgy personalized tuner vehicle on display in the Project Car Area. Additionally, partnering up with Si TV's music variety show "The Drop," Suzuki customized two special project vehicles for the show's young hosts displayed in the Project Car Area and Suzuki booth. These special vehicles join Suzuki's expanded 2005 line on the display floor, featuring no less than eight value-packed cars and SUVs for the American market including the Forenza Wagon and the Reno on display for the first time at the Chicago Auto Show.
Project Vehicles
Suzuki's two special project vehicles on display at the Chicago Auto Show include a 2005 Grand Vitara and 2005 Forenza specially customized to match the personalities of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Jr. and Jelynn Rodriguez, co-hosts of the new urban show "The Drop" on the national Si TV network. As an example of its growing marketing and promotional outreach to younger car buyers, Suzuki is sponsoring a series of segments titled "All Tricked Out" on the Si TV entertainment variety show and will customize a different Suzuki vehicle for each of the show's four Generation Y hosts.
Co-host Abdul-Jabbar Jr.'s Grand Vitara has been "tricked out" by Pacific Coast Motoring to include custom paint on all rims, custom upper and lower grille, performance dual exhaust system, Playstation 2, seven-inch monitors set into headrests, leather-wrapped seats with red piping and a basketball hoop in the rear compartment.
The Forenza sedan developed for the 21-year-old co-host, Jelynn, can best be described as Funky Hollywood -- and features such enhancements as a hot pink Apple iPod, pink gumball machine, snack and soda bar built into the back seat, hot pink ostrich interior, custom-built grille inserts, pink jewelry box and pink shoe rack.
"Car customizing is the hottest trend right now and Suzuki is at the forefront of bringing these creative ideas to Si TV viewers who truly appreciate the art of car customization," said Jeff Valdez, chairman of Si TV, America's first English-language network for Latinos.
Demonstrating the ease and affordability of creating a personalized version of the new five-door Suzuki Reno, the Reno Intruder Concept combines a unique Firestorm Orange Pearl Coat paint with dark smoked headlights, foglights and taillights, an imposing aluminum silver wire mesh grille and lower bumper scoop, mid-body rear spoiler, Euro-style dual-tip center exhaust system and flashy 17-inch five-spoke Sport Max chromium black alloy wheels.
2005 Suzuki Line
With six cars and two SUVs, Suzuki offers a tremendous range of choices for today's savvy, value-conscious buyer in 2005. But for all their diversity, Suzuki products deliver in important ways: All offer unusually high levels of features and amenities for the money. Plus, every vehicle in the line is covered by America's #1 Warranty, Suzuki's industry-leading, 100,000-mile, fully transferable, zero-deductible powertrain limited warranty.
The Forenza design takes the quintessential Suzuki "have it all" approach -- with technology and luxury features you'd expect to find in a far more expensive car. Against rivals like the Civic DX, Corolla CE and Sentra S, the Forenza has the largest standard engine, four-wheel disc brakes, power door locks, heated power side mirrors and steering-wheel mounted controls -- all standard. Items like the Forenza's in-dash CD/cassette AM/FM audio system with eight speakers, air conditioning with micron air-filtration system and power windows are all included in the Forenza S.
For 2005, the Forenza is even more appealing, with the addition of front seat-mounted side airbags and new advanced weight-sensing passenger-side front airbag as standard equipment on all trim levels.
It took the arrival of luxurious $30,000-and-up European performance-oriented wagons to make the wagon configuration cool again. Now with the arrival of the 2005 Forenza Wagon, a sleek, Euro-styled wagon is within reach of many more buyers.
With a long list of standard equipment, increased safety technology, plus available upscale luxury features (such as leather seating surfaces), the Forenza Wagon neatly splits the functional difference between sedans, SUVs and minivans and is a perfect fit for the needs, wants and budget of many of today's car buyers -- especially young families headed to Chicagoland parks for a day of fun.
The Forenza Wagon -- even in base trim -- comes with features such as standard air conditioning with micron air-filtration system; four-wheel disc brakes; speed-sensitive power steering; power windows, door locks and mirrors; eight-speaker in-dash CD/cassette AM/FM audio system; built-in roof rails; steering wheel-mounted sound-system controls; and many more popular features. With distinctive style, roomy utility and the premium features of an upscale sedan, the new Forenza Wagon proves that it really is possible to have it all as you drive the Miracle Mile or road trip for the weekend to the Dells.
The new 2005 Reno is set to transform the subcompact segment with an irresistible blend of expressive European style and admiration-worthy features.
Designed to appeal to a wide cross-section of stylish, function-oriented and cost-conscious car shoppers, the Reno distinguishes itself in a crowded marketplace with spectacular standard equipment -- for entertainment, comfort and safety on congested Chicagoland expressways -- including an eight-speaker CD/AM/FM audio system with MP3 playback capability, steering wheel with integrated audio controls, four-wheel disc brakes, front seat-mounted side airbags, new advanced weight-sensing passenger-side front airbag, air conditioning with micron air-filtration system, power windows and door locks, heated power side mirrors and speed-sensitive power steering. Move up to the LX or EX trim levels, and get a power tilt-and-slide sunroof, 15-inch alloy wheels, front fog lamps and even luxurious leather seating on EX models. With five-door versatility, solid handling and a strong 2.0-liter, four-cylinder, 16-valve, DOHC engine, the Reno is the perfect antidote for boring econo boxes and ho-hum SUVs. Owners are guaranteed to look stylish pulling up to the valet at Morton's.
The Suzuki XL-7 has a rugged body-on-frame design that puts it in an elite group of truly off-road-capable machines. This durable engineering, plus a standard high-torque V6 engine, generous ground clearance and available four-wheel-drive system with low-range gearing make the XL-7 ready to challenge the most rugged off-road path.
But the XL-7 is just as impressive on the road: It offers available third-row seating for seven, a flexible and cavernous cargo area, top-rated crash protection and luxury amenities rivaling some much more expensive SUVs.
Suzuki made its first entry into the midsize sedan class in 2004 with the Verona, going head to head with cars like Camry, Accord and Altima. Now in 2005, the evocative Verona has become an even more formidable flagship for Suzuki, sporting a variety of new features and upgrades including standard front seat-mounted side airbags, a new advanced weight-sensing passenger-side front airbag and a tire-pressure monitoring system on all trim levels.
Verona's smooth running 2.5-liter, six-cylinder, 24-valve, DOHC engine features longer-lasting iridium-tipped spark plugs. A tire-pressure monitoring system is now standard, alerting the driver via a warning light in the instrument cluster when tire pressure becomes critically low.
The newly restyled Aerio is a roomy alternative to cars like the standard Corolla, Civic and Matrix. Plus, it has them beat with a larger and more powerful 155 horsepower, 2.3-liter, four-cylinder engine that makes the Aerio the lively performance choice in its class.
The Aerio is available with front- or traction-enhancing all-wheel drive and in two distinctive body styles -- sedan or SX crossover. The expressive 2005 Aerio has a new front bumper, grille and rolls on newly designed 15-inch alloy wheels on LX and EX models. Sedan models get a sporty new rear trunk spoiler with an integrated center stop lamp.
The Grand Vitara is one SUV that is practically sized, fully equipped and delivers impressively with a truck-type ladder frame, a standard 2.5-liter V6 engine and an available dual-range four-wheel-drive system that will take you where many light-duty all-wheel-drive vehicles can't. But don't underestimate the Grand Vitara's impeccable manners in town, its upscale cabin, or its quiet and refined character.
America's #1 Warranty
All 2005 Suzuki models are covered by an unmatched warranty. All Suzuki vehicles boast a 100,000-mile/7-year powertrain limited warranty that's fully transferable to succeeding owners and free of deductibles for covered items. This is on top of 36,000-mile/3-year new-vehicle limited warranty. The 100,000-mile/7-year powertrain limited warranty covers the engine, transaxle, transmission, front and/or rear drive system and transfer case (when so equipped). The Suzuki powertrain limited warranty is designed to boost resale or trade-in value and underscores the corporation's confidence in its product quality.
About American Suzuki
The Automotive Operations of American Suzuki Motor Corporation (ASMC), Brea, Calif., were founded in 1985 by Suzuki Motor Corporation. ASMC markets its vehicles in the United States through a network of more than 540 automotive dealerships in 49 states. ASMC's parent company, Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC), based in Hamamatsu, Japan, is a diversified worldwide automobile manufacturer with sales of over 2 million new vehicles annually. Founded in 1909 and incorporated in 1920, it has operations in 125 countries.
About Si TV
Si TV is an English-language, Latino network featuring hip and irreverent culturally relevant programming targeting the growing young Latino and multi-cultural TV audience. Original shows include "Urban Jungle," "The Drop," "The Rub," and "Latino Laugh Festival: The Show" to name a few, along with acquired programs such as "Resurrection Blvd." and "American Family." Si TV has previously distinguished itself with the production of Nickelodeon's critically acclaimed family comedy "The Brothers Garcia." Founded and chaired by writer/producer Jeff Valdez and entrepreneur Bruce Barshop, Si TV was established in 1997 as a production company to develop, produce and distribute original English-language, Latino-themed entertainment. Visit the website at www.sitv.com.
