American Suzuki Christens Augusta Suzuki in Evans, Columbia County, Ga. As First Suzuki Square Dealership in $200-Million National Retail Image Program

EVANS, Ga., Sept. 18 -- American Suzuki Motor Corporation (ASMC) today christened the first of a nationwide network of next-generation dealership facilities designed to attract potential buyers with a unique shopper-friendly environment featuring an open-air marketplace design, bold visual styling and themed interior and exterior displays showing how Suzuki vehicles fit various customer lifestyles.

The newly redesigned dealership -- Augusta Suzuki in Evans, Columbia County, Ga. -- is one of three pilot dealerships that are being ceremoniously unveiled this month as part of the automaker's Suzuki Square(TM) retail image program, the dealer-development cornerstone of its aggressive plan to triple U.S. sales by 2007 and propel it further into the U.S. automotive mainstream. As part of its commitment to its dealer body, Suzuki is significantly complimenting participating dealers' investment of time, resources and other resources. The investment in Suzuki Square by Suzuki dealers is expected to top $200 million.

The other pilot Suzuki Square dealerships are Suzuki Auto Center in Corpus Christi, Texas; and Suzuki of Traverse City in Traverse City, Mich.

"Suzuki is very proud to open the first of three pilot Suzuki Square dealerships in Evans in Columbia County -- as well as expand our investment in Georgia which began with our Suzuki Manufacturing of America Corporation (SMAC) facility in Rome last year," explained Rick Suzuki, ASMC president.

Executive Director of the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce Gordon Renshaw was on hand at the ceremony, saying, "We're especially proud Suzuki chose Columbia County as the location for its first Suzuki Square dealership -- and we're excited to welcome a completely redesigned Augusta Suzuki to the Evans Town Center in Evans. The new design gives Augusta Suzuki instant landmark status -- and is further evidence of Columbia County's distinctively pro-business environment."

Introduced at Suzuki's 2003 dealer meeting in March, the Suzuki Square retail image program has been met with immediate and overwhelmingly positive response -- more than 300 of Suzuki's 450 automotive dealers in the U.S. are already participating in the voluntary program. Helping to ensure widespread dealer adoption has been an efficient modular design that can be adapted to new construction and retrofitted to existing dealer facilities.

Augusta Suzuki General Manager Mike Lacey stated, "Augusta Suzuki is proud to open as the first Suzuki Square dealership in the U.S. The Suzuki Square design makes Augusta Suzuki striking and inviting -- yet unique to its community -- and we expect it to attract record numbers of value-seeking car and SUV shoppers."

Augusta Suzuki is located at 4339 Washington Road in Evans in the Evans Town Center. The phone number is (706) 396 1100.

Suzuki is working with retail image consultant Miller Zell of Atlanta to customize a Suzuki Square environment that is right for each dealer location. Specific design highlights include customer-friendly floor plans emphasizing smooth operational flow and unobstructed visibility of all key dealership areas; bold colors and graphics encompassing the automaker's famous logo and identifying "s"; clean, uncluttered lines; extensive use of glass; efficient modular configurations for easy implementation; and interior and exterior lifestyle displays designed to make Suzuki vehicles relevant to target buyers.

In addition to attracting customers and showcasing the company's 54-year brand heritage, the Suzuki Square retail image program enables Suzuki to capitalize on its plans to launch nine new vehicles in the next five years. The first two of these new models -- the 2004 Verona midsize sedan and 2004 Forenza premium compact sedan -- arrive at Augusta Suzuki and Suzuki's other U.S. dealership this month and in October, respectively.

American Suzuki's 357 Plan

In addition to intensified product development and dealer-support programs, Suzuki's plan to triple U.S. sales by 2007 encompasses increased advertising and promotions, including $100 million in media spending in 2004; and a new company-wide focus on customer service and satisfaction.

About American Suzuki

The Automotive Division of American Suzuki Motor Corporation (ASMC), Brea, Calif., was founded in 1985 by Suzuki Motor Corporation. ASMC markets automobiles in the United States through a network of more than 450 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, it has 141 distributors in 127 countries.