American Suzuki Announces 100,000+ Unit Sales for First Time
Company Plans to Continue to Build on 18 Months of Momentum in 2007
DETROIT, Jan. 5 -- For the first time in American Suzuki Motor Corporation's (ASMC) 21-year history of selling automobiles in the U.S., the company posted annual sales above 100,000 units, building momentum for even greater success in 2007. Now poised for another banner year, Suzuki achieved numerous milestones in 2006:
* U.S. sales in 2006 were up 23 percent over 2005, as Suzuki sold an
all-time high 100,990 vehicles, the best sales year in company
history.
* Suzuki sales in 2006 were led by the Grand Vitara and the Forenza
family of vehicles -- both of which saw significant year-to-date
increases.
* The all-new SX4 recently was named "Best Kept Secret of 2007" by
Autobytel.
* The Grand Vitara was awarded Sport Truck Connection Television's
ALTAS Award in the Compact SUV category for the second year in a row.
* Sales of the media-acclaimed Grand Vitara continued to rise with a
212 percent increase in sales from 2005.
* The 2007 Suzuki Grand Vitara received the prestigious Consumer
Guide(R) Automotive Best Buy award, out-ranking nearly 20 other
vehicles in the compact sport-utility vehicle category.
* Suzuki continued to gain retail momentum, bolstering its U.S. dealer
network in 2006. More than two-thirds of Suzuki dealers have signed
up for the company's Suzuki Square retail facility program, which
offers buyers a unique, shopper-friendly environment.
* Suzuki's new energizing brand campaign, which launched in October,
further defined American Suzuki's "Way of Life" brand philosophy --
supported by products designed for life enthusiasts. The company's
new television and print advertising campaign linked its rich
motorcycle heritage with its fun-to-drive cars and SUVs. In
December, Suzuki also launched a series of in-cinema and in-flight
print and television advertisements to support its all-new XL7.
* ASMC was awarded the Intellichoice Best Non-Luxury Inspection Award
for its Certified Pre-owned program.
* ASMC has been honored with a prestigious Platinum MarCom Creative
Award for its 2007 XL7 New Model Launch Web-based training courses
and honorable mention for its 2007 SX4 New Model Launch Web-based
training courses.
"American Suzuki is extremely pleased to have exceeded its goal of 100,000 in sales," said Koichi Suzuki, president of American Suzuki's Automotive Operations. "With the all-new 2007 Suzuki XL7 leading the charge, along with our anticipation of significant sales of the all-new SX4, the Grand Vitara and our Forenza models, we are poised for a strong 2007. We remain focused on maintaining our sales momentum and achieving even greater levels of sales success in 2007."
New Vehicle Introductions
Providing the U.S. market with another fun-to-drive vehicle that is both practical and economical, ASMC will introduce a derivative of the SX4 crossover this year. The vehicle will make its global debut at the 2007 New York International Auto Show and is scheduled to arrive in dealer showrooms in the fall.
2007 Product Line
To meet the needs of a variety of lifestyles, Suzuki's diverse product line now features the XL7 and Grand Vitara SUVs as well as a variety of cars. The 2007 vehicle line also includes the functional SX4, popular and versatile Forenza sedan and Forenza Wagon, European-styled Reno and sporty, yet fuel-efficient Aerio sedan.
This wide vehicle lineup offers something for everyone with standout virtues that include toughness, leading-edge style and high-end features at prices well below the competition. All 2007 Suzuki automobiles are backed by America's #1 Warranty: 100,000-mile/seven-year, fully transferable, zero-deductible powertrain limited warranty.
Strengthened Dealer Network
Suzuki continued to strengthen its U.S. dealer network in 2006 through new programs and initiatives designed to make Suzuki franchises more competitive, profitable and successful than ever before. Fueled by the success of the Suzuki Square retail brand image program, Suzuki's dealer network stands strong at more than 520 dealers and is attracting increasing interest from prospective dealers.
Intended to ensure brand consistency and customer satisfaction across all Suzuki automotive retail dealerships in the United States, Suzuki Square offers buyers a unique shopper-friendly environment featuring an open-air marketplace design, bold visual styling and themed interior and exterior displays that show how Suzuki vehicles fit various customer lifestyles. To date, more than 100 Suzuki dealers have completed construction on their Suzuki Square facilities, and another 100 are under construction. By the end of 2007, ASMC expects the number of completed Suzuki Square facilities to grow to around 300 with program registration and construction in the works for another 100.
Marketing/Advertising Support
Beyond its strong dealer network, in October Suzuki launched a new brand campaign to support the all-new XL7 and SX4, prominently and proudly showcasing the company's signature motorcycles along with its cars and SUVs to further communicate the Suzuki "Way of Life." By embracing the company's rich motorcycle heritage, ASMC not only gains leverage from one of its core strengths and deepest assets, but also positions all of its vehicles as equally important parts of Suzuki's brand identity.
To further support its "Way of Life" brand strategy in 2007, Suzuki continues its successful line of "Suzuki LIVE Series" concept vehicles -- specially modified XL7 and SX4 concept vehicles designed for life enthusiasts, adventurers and thrill seekers. This year's vehicles include the XL7-based Flix and BaseCamp, which are movie-theater and camping-themed, respectively, and the SX4-based SXBox and Zuk, built for video game enthusiasts and motorcycle lovers.
About Suzuki
The Brea, Calif.-based Automotive Operations of American Suzuki Motor Corporation (ASMC) was founded in 1985 by parent company Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC) and currently markets its vehicles in the United States through a network of more than 520 automotive dealerships in 49 states. Based in Hamamatsu, Japan, SMC is a diversified worldwide automobile, motorcycle and outboard motor manufacturer with sales of more than two million new vehicles annually. Founded in 1909 and incorporated in 1920, SMC has operations in 125 countries. For more information, visit www.media.suzukiauto.com.