Suzuki expects 300,000 sales
James Treece
Automotive News / February 6, 2006 - 6:00 am
TOKYO -- Suzuki says its European sales this year will climb to 300,000 from about 265,000 in 2005.
The forecast includes sales in eastern Europe, Ukraine, and Russia.
Suzuki is off to a strong start in Europe this year. Executives say the diesel-powered Grand Vitara medium-SUV and its new Swift small car are back-ordered.
Suzuki forecasts record global sales of 2.22 million cars and trucks in 2006, up 10.4 percent from about 2.01 million last year. It was the first time Suzuki's sales topped 2 million.
Suzuki's vehicle production outside of Japan will rise 16.1 percent to a record 1.2 million. Overseas output topped 1 million for the first time in 2005 at 1,033,798.
Suzuki is expanding capacity in India and Europe. It will begin building an SUV for Fiat at its Esztergom, Hungary, plant this year.
