ZUKIWORLD Online | Suzuki 4x4 Editorial and Forum
ZUKIWORLD Discussion Forum => Suzuki 4x4 Forum => Topic started by: ebewley on October 05, 2004, 01:56:27 AM
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BREA, Calif. (October 1, 2004) -American Suzuki Motor Corporation (ASMC) continues to achieve strong sales, posting a 24 percent increase in September 2004 compared to the same month last year and a 25 percent increase in year-to-date sales. In total, ASMC dealers sold 5,042 vehicles in September 2004 and 57,329 vehicles this calendar year.
American Suzuki's success comes from the rapid introduction of new cars, such as its top-selling Suzuki Forenza premium compact and Suzuki Verona midsize sedan, both introduced late last year. Continued growth is expected due to the launch of two additional vehicles to the 2005 model year line: the five-door compact Suzuki Reno and versatile Forenza Wagon, both scheduled to arrive in showrooms this fall.
"We're very encouraged by the record sales achieved this year," explained Koichi Suzuki, president of American Suzuki's Automotive Operations. "Our value-packed vehicles are continuing to bring new customers to Suzuki and increasing awareness of Suzuki's automotive brand and products in the marketplace. We are certain that sales will continue to grow as we complete the necessary steps to reach our goal of tripling Suzuki's U.S. sales by 2007."
September 2004 2003 DSR %
VITARA: 183 515 -66%
GRAND VITARA: 346 514 -35%
XL-7: 1,288 1,449 -15%
AERIO: 399 1,048 -63%
FORENZA: 1,851 0 NA
VERONA: 975 365 156%
TOTAL: 5,042 3,893 24%
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Small car sales are up,gas prices are driving down truck sales, now if Suzuki had a hybrid or diesel engine car they would sell even more. Would be cool to have a hybrid or diesel version of the Aerio 5 door. :)
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The forenza is the best selling car we have right now. that car is looking to de-throne the Samurai as Suzukis best selling car ever.
who'd a thunk it?
and American Suzuki really doesn't have the fundage to spawn a hybird right now. they've dumped MOST of their money into the new vehicle launches for the next few years.
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I won't be happy until they have another 2 door 4x4 on the list... :(
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Posted by: wolf66 Posted on: Today at 11:37am
I won't be happy until they have another 2 door 4x4 on the list...
maybe.
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I won't be happy until they have another 2 door 4x4 on the list... :(
Well, with the continued success of the Jeep TJ and their off-road "Rubicon" package. I think Suzuki will take note and try to catch that "wave" of success... It only makes sense now that they have a full line-up of cars that they will begin to develop new 4x4 and AWD vehicles as the two they are selling now are getting long in the tooth and their sales are slipping.
FWIW -Eric
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niiiice ;)
i may not know everything but i know suzuki trucks are still a priority at suzuki
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niiiice  ;)
i may not know everything but i know suzuki trucks are still a priority at suzuki
Those who know me know that I have faith in Suzuki, there will be more 4x4s coming.
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WHen you look at tad more closely at these figures, there really isn't much to celebrate. All their lines, save for the Verona, have posted double digit sales decreases. That ain't good especially when you consider the tooling for the GV and XL7 is paid for, the Aerio isn't that long in the market, and the Forenza has no prior YTD comparison.
By all rights, zuke should be moving those Suv's like hotcakes since they've had an opportunity to amortize the development costs to a point to price them very competitively in the market.
The Aerio should be more than holding its own out there. Instead, its getting trounced by the Civic and Corolla and to a lesser extent, Mazda products.
Granted this is only indicative of the NA market however this is, for better or worse, the most lucrative market in the world. If you sandbag it here, good luck surviving elsewhere. Well, ok Peugeot, Fiat, and Lancia are still around but the really heavy hitters are heavy hitters because they succeed very well in the american market.
What gives? Suzuki isn't exactly a newcomer here. Problem is, most still associate this company with motorbikes, outboards, and prefab houses. That's gotta change. And the only way is to get the word out and put some airetime on my boob tube. For a brief burst this summer, I could count on one commercial a day, somewhere. Lately, I haven't seen a one.
Take my new so-called dealer. The rigs are out front, but where in the hell is the zuke sign? Oh, there it is, a tiny banner type flag just over the entrance way. Nice. Really gets your attention. Hell, if I didn't try to schedule with my prior dealer, I'd never know this place sold and "serviced" zukes. (I use the term "service" lightly here, very lightly indeed).
And speaking of dealer base, 500 dealers scattered around hither and yon will not do a damn thing to increase sales. One thing that has and will continue to turn away potential buyers is the lack of market coverage. Last thing I want is an "orphan" vehicle where my closest dealer is a hundred or so miles away. Go with the golden arches approach. Counting waldo world, there are 4 in my piddly ass little W PeeAy town. Ok, 4 dealers is a bit much, but how about some broader coverage? Go where the big boys aren't. Place a nice, professional looking dealership in a growing market. Buy air, radio, and print media. Teach the techs how to work on the rigs you sell. Be honest and stand behind your product. Give the customers what they want and a little more. It worked for Toyota and Honda. Problem is, they grew in the 70's and 80's when there was no Hyundai or Kia to contend with. Nor did Detroit make a serious attempt at building a small car. Thus, unless Japan's big 2 really f'ed up, they could only be successful.
Ok, off soapbox now. I do believe unless zuke gets with the program very soon, they'll pull out (like Daewoo) and that'll be the end of that.