American Suzuki Motor Corporation Bolsters Executive Team

BREA, Calif.--American Suzuki Motor Corporation (ASMC) today announced that Gary N. Akin has joined its executive management team as vice president, sales. Akin brings more than 20 years of industry knowledge and experience to Suzuki, and joins the automaker at a time of record growth.

ASMC’s sales in 2006 were up 23 percent over 2005, as American Suzuki sold an all-time high of 100,990 automobiles, the best sales year in the company’s history. This year, ASMC continues its impressive sales growth, selling a January monthly record of 8,179 vehicles.

“American Suzuki welcomes this seasoned industry executive to our senior management team,” said Koichi Suzuki, president of ASMC’s Automotive Operations. “Gary will energize our dealers, and we look forward to his leadership building upon our sales momentum and continuing Suzuki’s success.”

As vice president, sales, Akin will oversee ASMC’s growing network of more than 530 dealers in 49 states, of which 200 have either completed the Suzuki Square retail brand image program or have a facility under construction.

Akin brings a proven track record of progressive automotive experience to ASMC. He entered the industry as a customer relations analyst and then moved quickly through the parts and service, network development and marketing and sales ranks of major domestic and foreign auto manufacturers, including Ford, Nissan and most recently Volkswagen where he oversaw western region operations.

“I look forward to applying my experience in sales and network development at Suzuki, where I believe there is an unprecedented opportunity for sales and brand growth in the coming years,” Akin said. “With exciting products like the all-new XL7 and SX4, as well as Suzuki’s future products, last year’s achievement of being the fastest-growing manufacturer in the country is just the beginning of even greater things to come.”

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 530 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 2 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.