August 27, 2003 Below are some interesting excerpts from Rick Suzuki's recent speech at the introduction of the Verona
"Good morning.
Yes, tripling our sales in just five years is an ambitious goal. But if anyone can achieve that goal, it's Suzuki. Let me tell you why. In 2002, Suzuki Motor Corporation sold 1.8 million vehicles worldwide. We rank 4th in sales volume in the Japanese market. Suzuki is the 3rd highest performing Japanese car manufacturer in the Tokyo stock exchange. "... "Now, as I said, our sales goal is to triple our sales in five years. This year we'll sell approximately 80,000 vehicles. Next year, our target is to pass the 100,000 sales threshold. And so on until we hit 200,000 annual sales in 2007. To reach that goal, we're going to aggressively expand our product lineup."..."Certainly the most dramatic action we're taking is the rapid expansion of our product lineup. We will be launching nine new vehicles over the next five years.
The Verona and Forenza this year.
Next year, we'll be adding two additional new passenger cars to the line, a 5-door crossover and a wagon.
In 2005, we will be launching a new small SUV with a 2.7 liter V6 engine.
In 2006, a new mid-size SUV, with 3.5 liter V6 engine and an all new sport cross-over vehicle with a high performance engine.
And in 2007, we will introduce a new sport sedan and a new sport wagon.
Nine new models in five years is unprecedented in Suzuki's history in the US -- and will quickly give us the full line of outstanding products we need to hit our sales target and increase our market share. "
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