Record Production Levels for Suzuki

HAMAMATSU, Japan - Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC) achieved record global car production figures in the 2008 calendar year, with a total production of 2,623,788 units.

Plants outside of Japan contributed more than 50 per cent of total production, accounting for 1,405,553 units. That constituted a two per cent increase on 2007 figures.

A total of 1,218,235 vehicles rolled off Suzuki’s Japanese plants, closely matching the 2007 figure.

Production for the Japanese market increased but decreased slightly for exports, contributing to the overall flat total figure.

Suzuki sales in Japan were strong, with the total figure of 679,215 representing a 0.4 per cent increase on the 2007 calendar year.

The Suzuki Wagon R was again Japan’s best selling car, and Suzuki once again was strong in the mini-vehicle market with a 31.6 per cent share. That was almost one per cent up on the 2007 figure.

Japan sales of non-mini vehicles increased for the ninth consecutive year and marked an all time high for the company.

SMC is celebrating 100 years since the company was founded by Michio Suzuki in Hamamatsu in 1909.