BREA, Calif. (February 9, 2005) - American Suzuki Motor Corp. (ASMC) arrives at the 2005 Chicago Auto Show at a unique time in its 20-year history of selling cars and SUVs in the United States. Sales growth, new-product introductions and customer and dealer excitement for the brand are at all-time highs – thanks, in part, to the popularity of the Suzuki Forenza, Forenza Wagon and Reno.
Suzuki’s stop at the Chicago Auto Show comes amid record growth for the automaker – both nationally and in the Windy City. Sales of Suzuki cars and SUVs in the U.S. surged 26 percent in 2004 over 2003 while Chicago-area sales rose a whopping 84 percent, led by sales of the Forenza and XL-7 SUV.
“Clearly, savvy buyers from Chicagoland and throughout the Midwest are discovering Suzuki cars and SUVs,� explained Koichi Suzuki, president of ASMC Automotive Operations. “The dramatic increases in Chicago-area and nationwide sales are proof that Suzuki is earning a reputation as the automaker of choice for value-minded consumers. Thanks to new marketing initiatives and innovative new 2005 models, such as the Reno and Forenza Wagon, we are drawing more first-time Suzuki customers.�
As an added incentive to visit the Suzuki booth, Chicago Auto Show visitors can receive a “Smart Start� $500 cash-back coupon, valid at local Chicago-area Suzuki dealerships for the Forenza, Forenza Wagon, Reno or any other 2005 model from February 11 to March 11, 2005.
Showcasing the latest in personalized car styling trends, Suzuki shows Chicagoans its Reno Intruder Concept, an edgy personalized tuner vehicle on display in the Project Car Area. Additionally, partnering up with SàTV’s music variety show “The Drop,� Suzuki customized two special project vehicles for the show’s young hosts displayed in the Project Car Area and Suzuki booth. These special vehicles join Suzuki’s expanded 2005 line on the display floor, featuring no less than eight value-packed cars and SUVs for the American market including the Forenza Wagon and the Reno on display for the first time at the Chicago Auto Show.
Project Vehicles
Suzuki’s two special project vehicles on display at the Chicago Auto Show include a 2005 Grand Vitara and 2005 Forenza specially customized to match the personalities of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Jr. and Jelynn Rodriguez, co-hosts of the new urban show “The Drop� on the national SàTV network. As an example of its growing marketing and promotional outreach to younger car buyers, Suzuki is sponsoring a series of segments titled “All Tricked Out� on the SàTV entertainment variety show and will customize a different Suzuki vehicle for each of the show’s four Generation Y hosts.
Co-host Abdul-Jabbar Jr.’s Grand Vitara has been “tricked out� by Pacific Coast Motoring to include custom paint on all rims, custom upper and lower grille, performance dual exhaust system, Playstation 2, seven-inch monitors set into headrests, leather-wrapped seats with red piping and a basketball hoop in the rear compartment. The Forenza sedan developed for the 21-year-old co-host, Jelynn, can best be described as Funky Hollywood – and features such enhancements as a hot pink Apple iPod, pink gumball machine, snack and soda bar built into the back seat, hot pink ostrich interior, custom-built grille inserts, pink jewelry box and pink shoe rack.
“Car customizing is the hottest trend right now and Suzuki is at the forefront of bringing these creative ideas to SàTV viewers who truly appreciate the art of car customization," said Jeff Valdez, chairman of SàTV, America’s first English-language network for Latinos.
Demonstrating the ease and affordability of creating a personalized version of the new five-door Suzuki Reno, the Reno Intruder Concept combines a unique Firestorm Orange Pearl Coat paint with dark smoked headlights, foglights and taillights, an imposing aluminum silver wire mesh grille and lower bumper scoop, mid-body rear spoiler, Euro-style dual-tip center exhaust system and flashy 17-inch five-spoke Sport Max chromium black alloy wheels.
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