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American Suzuki Posts Highest Calendar Sales Year Since 1987

4 January 2001

American Suzuki Posts Highest Calendar Sales Year Since 1987; Yearly Sales End 22-Percent Above 1999

    BREA, Calif., Jan. 3 American Suzuki Motor Corporation
ended 2000 posting 60,845 sales for the calendar year, a strong 22-percent
increase over 1999 sales, and captured the title of "fastest-growing Japanese
car company in the United States."
    "American Suzuki had a banner year," said American Suzuki Motor
Corporation President Rick Suzuki.  "In 2000, we increased overall sales by
22 percent and our distribution network to 400 dealers.  Now, with the
introduction of the XL-7 and our planned dealer expansion in key markets, we
expect sales to continue to build in 2001."
    Among American Suzuki's six vehicle line-up, the Grand Vitara continued to
be the Corporation's strongest seller with 31,482 SUVs sold in 2000, a
15-percent increase over 1999 sales.  Esteem Sedan and Wagon sales remained
robust in 2000, notching a 37-percent sales increase over 1999 with
16,877 vehicles sold on the year.  Vitara calendar-year sales outpaced 1999 by
30 percent with 9,015 vehicles sold.
    December sales finished the year on a high note with 4,339 vehicles sold,
a 3-percent increase over December 1999 sales.  Grand Vitara marked a strong
sales month, posting 2,782 sales, a 14-percent increase over sales for the
same period last year.
    

                        AMERICAN SUZUKI MOTOR CORPORATION
                               MONTH END REPORTING

                                   December                     CYTD
                              2000          1999         2000          1999

    SIDEKICK:                    1             0            1           224
    SIDEKICK IMP:                0             6           10            15
    SPORT:                       0            18           78           606
    VITARA:                    474           668        9,015         6,948
    GRAND VITARA:            2,782         2,450       31,482        27,450
    SWIFT:                     156           141        3,379         2,290
    ESTEEM:                    926           948       16,877        12,320
    X-90:                        0             0            3            35
    TOTAL:                   4,339         4,231       60,845        49,888

    TRUCK
    DOMESTIC TRUCK:            475           668        9,016         7,172
    IMPORT TRUCK:            2,782         2,474       31,573        28,106
    TOTAL TRUCK:             3,257         3,142       40,589        35,278

    CAR
    DOMESTIC CAR:              156           141        3,379         2,290
    IMPORT CAR:                926           948       16,877        12,320
    TOTAL CAR:               1,082         1,089       20,256        14,610

    TOTAL DOMESTIC:            631           809       12,395         9,462
    TOTAL IMPORT:            3,708         3,422       48,450        40,426
    GRAND TOTAL              4,339         4,231       60,845         49,88