American Suzuki Posts Highest Sales Since 1987
BREA, Calif., Jan. 3, 2003; Spurred upwards by the introduction of its new Aerio small car, innovative financing, and the industry's best 7-year/100,000-mile powertrain limited warranty, American Suzuki Motor Corporation (ASMC) posts the best year since 1987 with sales totaling 67,855 for the year. Finishing off the year on a high note, American Suzuki achieved its highest December sales ever with 7,614 units. The strong December sales coupled with record-breaking November sales to boost total American Suzuki sales to 67,855 units in 2002. The XL-7 SUV posted 1,718 sales for the month and 27,295 for the year, while the Aerio sedan and SX marked 4,510 sales for the month and 18,441 sales since it's debut in late March 2002. The Grand Vitara also made a strong showing, notching 1,024 monthly sales and 11,529 for the year. The Vitara finished the year with 343 sales for the month and 6,549 vehicles sold in 2002."Sales are at an all-time high because more than ever consumers are taking notice of Suzuki's exceptional value, as evidenced by top industry accolades and safety ratings," said Rick Suzuki, president of ASMC. Recently the Suzuki Aerio and XL-7 SUV were named by Consumers Digest as "Best Buy" vehicles for 2003. The editors of the consumer-oriented Website, Edmunds.com, named the Aerio its "Most Wanted Wagon Under $15,000" as part of its annual compilation of favorite models in a variety of vehicle classes.
Additionally, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave the Suzuki Aerio its highest overall rating of "good" in its most recent 40-mph frontal offset crash tests, and designated it a "Best Pick" in the competitive small car category. The XL-7 also earned a place in the highest possible overall rating in the IIHS crash worthiness rating earlier in the year.
The Automotive Division of ASMC, Brea, Calif., was founded in 1985 by Suzuki Motor Corporation. ASMC markets automobiles in the United States through a network of 430 automotive dealerships in 49 states. ASMC's parent company, Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC), based in Hamamatsu, Japan, is a diversified worldwide automobile manufacturer. Founded in 1909 and incorporated in 1920, and has 120 distributors in 190 countries.
- sales figures follow -
AMERICAN SUZUKI MOTOR CORPORATION
MONTH END REPORTING
DECEMBER CYTD
2002 2001 DSR % 2002 2001 DSR %
Change Change
SIDEKICK: 0 3 -100% 5 3 67%
SIDEKICK IMP: 0 0 NA 0 8 -100%
SPORT: 0 0 NA 6 6 0%
X-90: 0 0 NA 4 0 NA
VITARA: 343 413 -14% 6,549 7,947 -18%
GRAND VITARA: 1,024 624 71% 11,529 16,030 -28%
XL-7: 1,718 2,020 -12% 27,295 25,096 9%
SWIFT: 0 71 -100% 177 2,547 -93%
ESTEEM: 19 786 -97% 3,849 13,061 -71%
AERIO: 4,510 0 NA 18,441 0 NA
TOTAL: 7,614 3,917 102% 67,855 64,698 5%
TRUCK
DOMESTIC TRUCK: 343 416 -14% 6,554 7,950 -18%
IMPORT TRUCK: 2,742 2,644 8% 38,834 41,140 -6%
TOTAL TRUCK: 3,085 3,060 5% 45,388 49,090 -8%
CAR
DOMESTIC CAR: 0 71 -100% 175 2,547 -93%
IMPORT CAR: 4,529 786 499% 22,292 13,061 71%
TOTAL CAR: 4,529 857 450% 22,467 15,608 44%
TOTAL DOMESTIC: 343 487 -27% 6,729 10,497 -36%
TOTAL IMPORT: 7,271 3,430 120% 61,126 54,201 13%
GRAND TOTAL 7,614 3,917 102% 67,855 64,698 5%
Selling Days: 25 26 307 307