Suzuki 2001 Annual Report Download - page 11

Wagon R has also been the best-selling mini vehicle in Japan for six
consecutive years since 1995. Other achievements include the Jimny
-- a full-fledged 4-wheel-drive mini vehicle highly acclaimed since its
introduction in 1970 for its superb running performance and mobility
over rough roads -- reaching 500,000 units in aggregate domestic sales
in October 2000; and the Suzuki Jimny (SJ, Samurai) series' aggregate
worldwide sales reaching 2 million units in February 2001.
Mini vehicle ownership in Japan exceeded 20 million units by the
end of December 2000 and accounted for about 28% of all
automobiles owned in Japan (72,780 thousand units). There is no
doubt that the value of mini vehicles, that is, small cars, in Japan's
traffic infrastructure can only increase in the future. As for the
production and distribution of automobiles, our Kosai Plant achieved
in August 2000, an aggregate automobile production volume of
10million units; and operations began at two new facilities for
delivering new cars to customers and automobile maintenance inside
Japan: the Chiba Pre-delivery Preparation Work Center -- the sixth of
such facility -- in November 2000, and the Toyama Pre-delivery
preparation work center, in January 2001. In domestic sales, Suzuki is
also putting much effort in sales of used cars. In October 2000, Suzuki
Auto Auction Hamamatsu (SAA Hamamatsu), a permanent site for
auctions of used cars, saw completion and start of operation.
Motor Shows are great opportunities to put Suzuki's advanced
technology and expertise on public display. In the Tokyo Motor Show
held in October 2000, Suzuki, under the theme "Small Cars for a Big
Future," put on display vehicles such as the Suzuki Pu3-commuter
Wheelchair Passenger Seat version (concept car), Escudo XL (concept
car), Grand Vitara Pickup (concept car) and Every Wagon SV. As for
mini vehicles, we offered Suzuki 80th Anniversary versions of models
such as the Wagon R, Alto, Kei, Jimny and Every Wagon, plus 21st
Century Commemorative Special versions of Every Wagon and Kei.
Suzuki also developed and marketed "welfare vehicles", that is,
vehicles based on the Wagon R and Every that are tailored to the needs
of the elderly and the handicapped. As for subcompact vehicles, we
introduced a series of new models, including the Wagon R Solio, a
compact passenger car, Grand Escudo, a cross-country wagon, and
Aerio, a new passenger car. Furthermore, operations started of
Suzuki's new subcompact-car sales network, the Arena dealerships,
Domestic Automobiles Topics
Suzuki's Expertise: Building Small Cars
Suzuki in this fiscal year translated its expertise in mini vehicles to once again become the top seller of mini vehicles in Japan --
making this the 28th consecutive year Suzuki has been in this position -- an achievement we are truly proud of. In July 2000, Suzuki
achieved aggregate domestic mini vehicle sales of 13 million units, and aggregate sales of Wagon R reached 1,300,000 units. The
SUZUKI MOTOR CORPORATION● 9
BUSINESS REVIEW
Wagon R - the best selling mini vehicle in Japan
from April 2000. The number of Arena dealerships grew to 810 by the end of March, 2001. Suzuki will continue to use its expertise
in small cars towards the creation of value-packed products, with the belief that "small cars" will play an even greater role in
developing a "big future" of transportation.
Overseas Topics
Suzuki, with its policy of contributing to the local economy and society, has been undertaking numerous local production
enterprises. At present, we have established a global manufacturing network of 57 companies in 31countries with production bases
for automobiles, motorcycles and other products. Operations recently started at additional Suzuki production bases, including the start
of production of Suzuki automobiles (Grand Vitara -- Escudo in the Japanese market) at General Motors de Argentina S.A. in April
2000, start of production of two types of passenger cars at Chongqing Changan Suzuki Automobile Co., Ltd., a joint-venture company
in China, in June 2000, and start of production at Thai Suzuki Motor Co., Ltd. of outboard motors for the Japanese market in July
2000. As for the production base of All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs), whose demand is increasing especially in North America, we have
Suzuki's new subcompact-car sales network - Arena