Car Maker Site Most Improved According to Latest J.D. Power - Does Anyone Out there care?

BREA, Calif.--May 17, 2002--American Suzuki Motor Corp.'s Automotive Web Site (www.suzukiauto.com) improved its ranking from 36th to 5th in the recently released J.D. Power and Associates 2002 semiannual Manufacturer Web Site Evaluation Study(SM) ranking of automotive manufacturer Web sites, the biggest ascent of any automotive manufacturer.

"We're thrilled that the improvements we've added this year are being used and appreciated by our site's visitors," said David Harris, Internet manager at American Suzuki. "We've added more information that's important to the consumer, lots of interactivity and new features on the site such as a 'Build Your Own Suzuki,' a step-by-step finance calculator, an easy-to-find incentives and special offers section, and a dealer locator to make the most of our visitors' time they spend online with us."

The J.D. Power and Associates study looked at navigation, appearance/presentation and relevance of the information provided and is based on responses from Internet users who intend to purchase a new vehicle within 24 months.

Ease of navigation, stimulating home pages and links to relevant features and information were also cited by the J.D. Power and Associates 2002 Manufacturer Web Site Evaluation Study(SM) as features that the top-performing sites had in common. "Those are exactly what we aimed to do in our site renovation we began last year," added Harris.

The American Suzuki site features an always-visible primary navigation menu that runs both vertically in the left margin and horizontally, along the top. The site retains its consistency with more horizontal links to additional information, deeper into the content, where a visitor can access detailed information such as product specifications, answers to frequently asked questions and even download a product brochure.

The Suzuki Automotive Web site also delivers in its ability to draw visitors through its dynamic appearance and presentation by using active Flash(TM) animation to provide content in a visually stimulating and engaging way.

For example, the Suzuki site's latest news and information is accessible through an animated Graphic Interchange Format (GIF) link that flashes in the top left hand corner of the site's home page. This information is regularly updated to give the return visitor easy access to what's new.

Visitors can also interact with the site content, simply by clicking what looks particularly interesting as it flashes up on their screen. And the site is designed to load for easy viewing, even by dial-up visitors, who will first see the navigation menus, then the flash animation elements, followed by the heavier images.

Increasingly, American Suzuki has placed greater emphasis on its Web site, strategically using it to supplement its point-of-purchase promotional materials, tying into promotional partnerships with key retailers like Bed Bath & Beyond and Blockbuster Video, and to introduce its latest entry into the small car market, the stylish and affordable Aerio.

The Aerio, available at Suzuki dealerships since March in sedan and SX (sport crossover) models, was first seen in December in a "teaser" campaign exclusive to the Suzuki Web site. The 15-second online commercial flashed parts of the new models, giving visitors a sneak peek of what was to come and provided an opportunity to receive product information, as well as a sweepstakes entry for a variety of prizes.

"No automotive manufacturer can think that their site is as good as it can ever be -- there's too much competition and the technology constantly changes," Harris added. "American Suzuki will continue to use the Web as a key communications and sales tool, and hopefully continue to improve our rankings in the J.D. Power and Associates Web Site Evaluation Study(SM), as well."

The American Suzuki Web sites (Automotive, Motorcycle/ATV, Marine, and Accessories) are created and managed by Matrix Consultants of Santa Monica, Calif. (www.matrix-consultants.com).

The Automotive Division of American Suzuki Motor Corp. (ASMC), Brea, was founded in 1985 by Suzuki Motor Corp. ASMC markets automobiles in the United States through a network of more than 430 automotive dealerships in 49 states.

ASMC's parent company, Suzuki Motor Corp. (SMC), based in Hamamatsu, Japan, is a diversified worldwide automobile manufacturer. Founded in 1909 and incorporated in 1920 it has 120 distributors in 191 countries.