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."
Suzuki Auto's versatile line of vehicles includes the spirited four-door SX4 Sport, bold and functional five-door SX4 Crossover, exciting XL7 midsize SUV, rugged Grand Vitara compact SUV, popular Forenza sedan and Forenza Wagon, and the European-styled Reno. Every vehicle in the line provides Suzuki's standout virtues of toughness, leading-edge style and high-end features at very competitive prices. All 2008 Suzuki automobiles are backed by America's #1 Warranty: a 100,000-mile/seven-year, fully transferable, zero-deductible powertrain limited warranty.
The Brea, Calif.-based Automotive Operations of American Suzuki Motor Corp. was founded in 1985 by parent company Suzuki Motor Corp. (SMC) and currently markets its vehicles in the United States through a network of approximately 500 automotive dealerships in 49 states. Based in Hamamatsu, Japan, SMC is a diversified worldwide automobile, motorcycle and outboard motor manufacturer with sales of more than two million new automobiles annually. Founded in 1909 and incorporated in 1920, SMC has operations in 187 countries. For more information, visit www.media.suzukiauto.com.
| 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% |
David Boldt, American Suzuki – (714) 996-7040 ext. 2464, autopr@suz.com
Andrew Nicolai, PainePR for American Suzuki – (949) 809-6786, anicolai@Painepr.com
