Suzuki, Kawasaki Heavy To Jointly Sell Motorcycles

TOKYO -February 18,2003; Dow Jones reported Kyodo News said that Suzuki Motor Corp. and Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd. will put their first jointly developed motorcycles on sale worldwide in September.

Kawasaki Heavy will produce the 250-cc off-road motorcycles and the two companies will sell them under their respective brands. The two firms said they have yet to decide the price of the motorcycles.

Suzuki and Kawasaki Heavy said they will use the new motorcycles in motocross races in Japan from April so they can improve their quality and performance ahead of the September launch.

The two firms have supplied a total of 17 motorcycles for sale under the label of their respective brands since they launched tie-ups in 2001 to promote cost- cutting efforts and better meet challenges by rivals Honda Motor Co.