2005 LA Auto Show: Suzuki Displays Expanded Line of Production Vehicles

2005 Reno and Forenza Wagon and Suzuki Works Techno (SWT) Vehicles Make American Suzuki a Must-See for Show Goers

BREA, Calif., Jan. 5 -- American Suzuki Motor Corp. (ASMC) arrives at the 2005 Los Angeles International Auto Show at a unique time in its 20-year history of selling cars and SUVs in the United States. Sales growth, new-product introductions and customer and dealer excitement for the brand are at all-time highs.

And now, Southern California auto enthusiasts will be treated to a first look at two new, European-designed Suzuki models, the five-door 2005 Reno and 2005 Forenza Wagon, which combine with the latest models of the Grand Vitara and XL-7 SUVs; Aerio, Forenza and Verona sedans; and the dynamic Aerio SX five-door crossover, to give Suzuki its most diverse product line ever.

In addition to an expanded 2005 model line, L.A. International Auto Show visitors can check out two unique Suzuki Works Techno (SWT) vehicles showcasing new styling kit packages in the Suzuki booth this year.

"Clearly, American Suzuki is on the move with new products and marketing initiatives that underscore our commitment to offering America's best value," explained Koichi Suzuki, president of ASMC Automotive Operations. "Innovative new 2005 models are drawing more first-time Suzuki customers and helping us to grow the brand in the U.S. market."

Year-to-date sales of Suzuki cars and SUVs in the U.S. through December 2004 are up 26 percent over the same period last year. In addition to last year's fast-selling Forenza and Verona, the all-new Reno and Forenza Wagon, making their L.A. Auto Show debut, are helping to cement the automaker's reputation for combining capable toughness, leading-edge style and high-end features offering a high value at competitive prices.

SWT Vehicles

Taking its cue from the popularity of the personalized automotive styling trend, ASMC is using the occasion of the L.A. Auto Show to display Suzuki Works Techno (SWT) high-style trim packages on our most sporty models. The first two SWT vehicles -- the Sunburst Reno SWT and Techno Blue Aerio SX SWT -- offer such features as carbon fiber enhancements including styled body graphics and dash, console, headlight and rear license plate trim; chrome gunmetal gray and white alloy wheels; stainless steel exhaust tips; front strut bars; and mid-mount rear spoilers.

Launched in late 2004, the Suzuki Reno SWT package is geared toward Generations X and Y and will be followed by high-style SWT trim packages for the Aerio sedan, Forenza premium compact sedan and Forenza Wagon.

2005 Suzuki Line

With eight different body styles -- six cars and two SUVs -- Suzuki offers a tremendous range of choices for today's savvy, value-conscious buyer in 2005. But for all their diversity, Suzuki products deliver in important ways: All offer unusually high levels of features and amenities for the money. Plus, every vehicle in the line is covered by America's #1 Warranty, Suzuki's industry-leading, 100,000-mile, fully transferable, zero-deductible powertrain limited warranty.

The new 2005 Reno is set to transform the subcompact segment with an irresistible blend of expressive European style and admiration-worthy features. Factor in the confidence of America's #1 Warranty, and the Reno pulls even farther ahead of cars like the Scion xA, Mazda3, Toyota Matrix and Ford Focus.

Designed to appeal to young Gen Y buyers as well as a wide cross-section of stylish, function-oriented and cost-conscious car shoppers, the Reno distinguishes itself in a crowded marketplace with spectacular standard equipment -- for entertainment, comfort and safety on congested Southern California freeways -- including a rockin' eight-speaker CD/AM/FM audio system with MP3 playback capability, steering wheel with integrated audio controls, four-wheel disc brakes, front seat-mounted side airbags, new advanced weight- sensing passenger-side front airbag, air conditioning with micron air- filtration system, power windows and door locks, heated power side mirrors and speed-sensitive power steering. Move up to the LX or EX trim levels, and you can get a power tilt-and-slide sunroof, 15-inch alloy wheels, front fog lamps and even luxurious leather seating on EX models. With five-door versatility, solid handling and a strong 2.0-liter, four-cylinder, 16-valve, DOHC engine, the Reno is the perfect antidote for boring econo boxes and ho-hum SUVs.

It took the arrival of luxurious $30,000-and-up European performance- oriented wagons to make the wagon configuration cool again. Now with the arrival of the 2005 Forenza Wagon, a sleek, Euro-styled wagon is within reach of many more buyers.

With a long list of standard equipment, increased safety technology, plus available upscale luxury features (such as leather seating surfaces), the Forenza Wagon neatly splits the functional difference between sedans, SUVs and minivans and is a perfect fit for the needs, wants and budget of many of today's car buyers -- especially young families headed to California beaches or theme parks for a day of fun in the sun.

Styled by the famed Italian Pininfarina studio, the Forenza Wagon has genuine European wagon DNA. Inside, the quiet cabin, metallic accents on the doors, instrument panel and center console echo the technically sophisticated look of the exterior, giving the Forenza Wagon's interior a decidedly upscale ambience.

The Forenza Wagon -- even in base trim -- comes with features such as standard air conditioning with micron air-filtration system; four-wheel disc brakes; speed-sensitive power steering; power windows, door locks and mirrors; eight-speaker in-dash CD/cassette AM/FM audio system; built-in roof rails; steering wheel-mounted sound-system controls; and many more popular features. With distinctive style, roomy utility and the premium features of an upscale sedan, the new Forenza Wagon proves that it really is possible to have it all -- and not break the bank in the process.

Suzuki made its first entry into the midsize sedan class in 2004 with the Verona, going head to head with cars like Camry, Accord and Altima. Now in 2005, the evocative Verona has become an even more formidable flagship for Suzuki, sporting a variety of new features and upgrades, including standard front seat-mounted side airbags, a new advanced weight-sensing passenger-side front airbag and a tire-pressure monitoring system on all trim levels.

The Verona is a standout, combining styling by Italdesign of Turin, Italy, a superior level of standard features and the only standard, six-cylinder engine in its class. The Verona exceeds buyer expectations with style, amenities and sophisticated engineering that competitors don't offer.

Verona's smooth running 2.5-liter, in-line six-cylinder, 24-valve, DOHC engine features longer-lasting iridium-tipped spark plugs. A tire-pressure monitoring system is now standard, alerting the driver via a warning light in the instrument cluster when tire pressure becomes critically low -- for peace- of-mind on lengthy drives to the local mountains or Las Vegas. A power tilt- and-slide sunroof is also standard on the mid-level Verona LX (and remains standard on the line-topping EX). With the arrival of a new advanced weight- sensing passenger-side front airbag, along with side airbags for both front- seat passengers, safety features have also been upgraded in the 2005 Verona.

The Forenza design takes the classic Suzuki "have it all" approach -- with technology and luxury features you'd expect to find in a far more expensive car. Against rivals like the Civic DX, Corolla CE and Focus LX, the Forenza has the largest standard engine, four-wheel disc brakes, power door locks, heated power side mirrors and steering-wheel mounted controls -- all standard. Items like the Forenza's in-dash CD/cassette AM/FM audio system with eight speakers, air conditioning with micron air-filtration system and power windows are all included in the Forenza S. No question, it's clear the Forenza is a remarkable value.

For 2005, the Forenza is even more appealing, with the addition of front seat-mounted side airbags and new advanced weight-sensing passenger-side front airbag as standard equipment on all trim levels. The Forenza is rolling proof that Suzuki truly offers Los Angeles drivers an appealing way to have the features they want and not pay for any they don't.

The newly restyled Aerio is a roomy alternative to cars like the standard Corolla, Civic and Matrix. Plus, it has them beat with a larger and more powerful 155 horsepower, 2.3-liter, four-cylinder engine that makes the Aerio the lively performance choice in its class.

The Aerio is available with front- or traction-enhancing all-wheel drive and in two distinctive body styles -- sedan or SX crossover. The expressive 2005 Aerio has a new front bumper, grille, fog lamps, and rolls on newly designed 15-inch alloy wheels. Sedan models get a sporty new rear trunk spoiler with an integrated center stop lamp.

A reengineered and restyled interior for 2005 brings new luxury to this engaging compact car. New analog instrumentation advances style and readability and the new steering wheel incorporates fingertip audio controls for the audio system. Important equipment upgrades include standard automatic climate control on all Aerio models and power door locks -- even on the base S model. The keyless entry system on LX and SX models, now includes a "panic" mode that operates the Aerio's horn. With features, performance and style, the Aerio sedan and SX crossover prove that excitement and affordability don't have to be mutually exclusive.

The Grand Vitara is one SUV that will take you where you need to go without taking you for a ride with excessive size, fuel consumption or price. This practically sized and fully equipped SUV delivers impressively with a truck-type ladder frame, a standard 2.5-liter V6 engine and an available dual- range four-wheel-drive system that will take you where many light-duty all- wheel-drive vehicles can't. But don't underestimate the Grand Vitara's impeccable manners in town, its upscale cabin, or its quiet and refined character.

The Grand Vitara has an impressive roster of standard features including power windows, door locks and side mirrors; tilt steering wheel; keyless remote entry; automatic climate control; in-dash CD player with seven speakers including two dash-mounted tweeters and an adjustable power subwoofer; and steering-wheel-mounted audio controls.

The Suzuki XL-7 has a rugged body-on-frame design that puts it in an elite group of truly off-road-capable machines. This durable engineering, plus a standard high-torque V6 engine, generous ground clearance and available four- wheel-drive system with low-range gearing make the XL-7 ready to challenge the most rugged off-road path. But the XL-7 is just as impressive on the road: It offers available third-row seating for seven, a flexible and cavernous cargo area, top-rated crash protection and luxury amenities rivaling some much more expensive SUVs.

As Suzuki's popular flagship SUV, the XL-7 features a wide range of standard luxury equipment, including a new tire-pressure monitoring system; 16-inch aluminum alloy wheels; automatic climate control; power windows and heated, power side mirrors; remote keyless entry; air conditioning with micron air-filtration system; seven-speaker audio system including powered subwoofer and cruise control; and more.

America's #1 Warranty

All 2005 Suzuki models are covered by an unmatched warranty. All Suzuki vehicles boast a 100,000-mile/7-year powertrain limited warranty that's fully transferable to succeeding owners and free of deductibles for covered items. This is on top of 36,000-mile/3-year new-vehicle limited warranty. The 100,000-mile/7-year powertrain limited warranty covers the engine, transaxle, transmission, front and/or rear drive system and transfer case (when so equipped). The Suzuki powertrain limited warranty is designed to boost resale or trade-in value and underscores the corporation's confidence in its product quality.

About American Suzuki

The Automotive Operations of American Suzuki Motor Corporation, Brea, Calif., was founded in 1985 by Suzuki Motor Corporation. ASMC markets automobiles in the United States through a network of more than 540 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 139 distributors in 125 countries.