SUZUKI AUTO POSTS BEST YEAR-END CLOSE IN COMPANY HISTORY
· American Suzuki sells more than 100,000 vehicles for the second year in a row
· 2007 close marks third consecutive year of record-setting sales
· Annual record bolstered by expanded SX4 line
BREA, Calif., (January 3, 2008) – American Suzuki Motor Corp. today announced the second-best December sales month in company history with automobile sales of 7,361 units. Suzuki Auto finished 2007 with sales of 101,884 vehicles, setting another all-time company record and marking Suzuki’s fourth consecutive year-over-year sales increase and second successive year of 100,000-plus units sold in the U.S.
Suzuki’s five-door SX4 Crossover and its sedan counterpart, the all-new four-door SX4 Sport led December sales. Launched in late 2007, the SX4 Sport has enjoyed media acclaim and popular response in the showroom thanks to its appealing design and standard features competitive with compact sedans costing thousands more. December sales of the SX4 models totaled 2,309 units, while Suzuki’s midsize crossover, the XL7, achieved a notable 83% year-over-year increase.
The automaker has demonstrated steady growth since 2005, when Suzuki Auto redesigned its iconic Grand Vitara and enjoyed its best sales year in the company’s then 20-year U.S. history. Suzuki built upon that success in 2006 with the launches of the new SX4 and redesigned XL7. Those introductions capped Suzuki Auto’s first year of 100,000 sales, and paved the way for once again clearing the six-figure sales hurdle in 2007.
“In a challenging year for the automotive industry, Suzuki is proud to have achieved year-over-year growth, building upon the tremendous success we saw in 2006,� said Mark Harano, president of American Suzuki Automotive Operations. “While we’re very pleased by our 2007 results, we remain committed to maintaining our sales momentum and achieving even greater business results in 2008, and we’re confident we can make it happen with the combination of right-sized products, high content levels and aggressive window stickers, driving consumers to choose Suzuki.�
AMERICAN SUZUKI MOTOR CORPORATION MONTH END REPORTING
December CYTD
2007 2006 % Change 2007 2006 % Change
VITARA: 0 0 0% 2 8 -75%
GRAND VITARA: 1,331 2,165 -39% 19,538 26,931 -27%
XL7 1,548 847 83% 23,176 10,948 112%
SX4/AERIO: 2,309 1,130 104% 16,740 12,221 37%
FORENZA/RENO: 2,172 3,121 -30% 42,113 48,579 -13%
VERONA: 1 54 -98% 315 2,302 -86%
TOTAL: 7,361 7,317 1% 101,884 100,990 1%
