Suzuki 2001 Annual Report Download - page 8

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The Japanese Market
The number of motorcycles put out by the four Japanese makers
in the domestic market in the fiscal year 2000 (from April 2000
through March 2001) amounted to 774,000 units (95% of the
previous year) in total volume -- a continuing decline that can be
attributed to a stagnation in personal consumption due to the long
continuing economic downturn and fewer users showing interest in
riding motorcycles. Breaking down the figure by displacement
classes, the volume for the 50-to-125cc class dropped to 653,000
units (92% of the previous year), while the volume for the 126cc-
and-over class grew to 121,000 units (114% of the previous year).
The growth of the 126cc-and-over class can be attributed to a large
increase in the 126-to-250cc class, in which sales of dual-purpose
bikes and scooters, especially to young people, rose to 77,980 units
(154% of the previous year).
Within these general conditions, Suzuki managed to increase its
shipment to 115,000 units (113% of the previous year) in total
volume. Breaking down the figure by displacement classes, the
volume for the 50-to-125cc class was 93,000 units (108% of the
previous year) and the volume for the 126cc-and-over class was
22,000 units (139% of the previous year), thus marking growth in
both classes.
This growth can be attributed to the fact that by the previous fiscal
year, we completed our task of reducing distribution inventory
through restricting our output, and that our product development
program in which we focus on large models is starting to bear fruit.
Looking at individual displacement classes, in the 126cc-and-
over class in which the market as a whole is experiencing growth,
we introduced the GrassTracker and GrassTracker Bigboy, both
6 ●SUZUKI MOTOR CORPORATION
MOTORCYCLES
RM250GSX1400GRASS TRACKER
Toyokawa Plant
Motorcycles and outboard motors assembling plant
GS1200SS
fashionable bikes targeted to young people, and attained a large
growth, to 15,798 units (168% of the previous year).
In the 401cc-and-over class, we introduced the GS1200SS styled
with a large cowling and the GSX1400 -- the top-of-the-line naked
bike -- to enhance our product lineup of the highly profitable large
models. As a result, while the output volume of the four Japanese
makers in this displacement class decreased to 17,891 units (72% of
the previous year), Suzuki achieved a large growth, to 2,496 units
(125% of the previous year).