American Suzuki Automotive Introduces New `'America's Best'' Seven-Year/100,000-Mile Powertrain Limited Warranty for Entire Line

    BREA, Calif.--July 31, 2002--

    Warranty is Part of Suzuki's "Open Road Promise," a Three-Tiered
    Program Designed to Strengthen Suzuki's Customer Satisfaction

    American Suzuki Motor Corp. (ASMC) introduces its new "America's Best" seven-year/100,000-mile powertrain limited warranty on its entire automotive product line beginning Aug. 1, 2002.
    The seven-year/100,000-mile new warranty -- the best in the industry -- is fully transferable to succeeding owners with no deductibles, boosting resale value and underscoring the corporation's confidence in its product quality.
    ASMC offers the longest transferable warranty in the industry, covering the powertrain for 100,000 miles or seven years -- whichever comes first -- and providing Suzuki owners more than 14,000 miles of coverage per year. This powertrain warranty covers the engine, transaxle, transmission and transfer case, and front- and rear-wheel-drive systems.
    "Comparatively speaking, our warranty is the best in the industry," said American Suzuki President Rick Suzuki. "Although Kia and Hyundai offer a 10-year/100,000-mile warranty, it is non-transferable. Since the average length of original ownership is five years, those warranties are, in effect, good for five years for the average owner.
    "Chrysler just started a new seven-year/70,000-mile transferable warranty, but since a typical customer drives around 15,000 miles per year, the Chrysler warranty may expire in less than five years.
    "The Suzuki seven-year/100,000-mile warranty gives buyers peace of mind with 84 months of coverage, as well as helps maintain the value of the vehicle since the warranty will transfer with the vehicle and is not limited to the original owner."
    The seven-year/100,000-mile warranty is part of Suzuki's "Open Road Promise," a new three-tiered program designed to strengthen Suzuki's customer satisfaction and bolster consumer confidence in the Suzuki line. Other "Open Road Promise" elements include a 24-hour, 365-day Roadside Assistance Program and Warranty Repair Courtesy Vehicle Program.

    New Vehicle -- Suzuki Aerio

    Introduced by ASMC in March, the Aerio -- newest in the Suzuki line -- combines sportiness, room, power and personality for an MSRP starting at just $13,499. Both models of the Aerio -- a sedan and SX (sport crossover) -- blend expressive styling with category-leading interior space and one of the most powerful standard engines in the small car class.

    About ASMC

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