Suzuki 2003 Annual Report Download - page 6

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ESCUDO
(Export name: GRAND VITARA)
GRAND ESCUDO
(Export name: GRAND VITARA XL-7)
AUTOMOBILES
The Japanese Market
Suzuki's performance in the Japanese domestic market
Total domestic sales of automobiles in fiscal year 2002 grew to 5,868,212 units, 101% of the previous year. Although
sales of mini-vehicles remained strong at over 1,800 thousand units, the figure was below that of the previous twelve
months, making it three consecutive years of decline. The number of registered units (automobiles excluding mini-
vehicles) surpassed the previous year's figure for the first time in two years, due to growth in small and subcompact
vehicles.
Suzuki's total domestic automobile sales grew to 637,214 units, or 103% of the previous year.
As a result, Suzuki's domestic market share in fiscal year 2002 was 10.9%, 0.3 percentage points up from the previous
year. Among the twelve domestic auto manufacturers, Suzuki came in at 4th place for domestic market share,
unchanged from the previous year.
Suzuki's sales status
(1) The vigorous strength of the mini-vehicle market, which had continued ever since regulatory standards were
revised in 1998, has settled, and many manufacturers have seen their sales drop below the previous year's
figures. Under such circumstances, Suzuki actively took measures to revitalize the market, including the
introduction of minor change models along with various sales promotion campaigns, and as a result sold
576,311 units, 101% of the previous year. This was the second-largest yearly figure after the Suzuki's
record -breaking year for mini-vehicle sales in 1999. As a result, Suzuki once again in fiscal year 2002 held the
largest market share in mini-vehicles -- a position Suzuki has maintained for 30 consecutive years.
(2) As for small and subcompact vehicles, we strengthened our sales network by enhancing our Arena sales channel.
As a result, Suzuki's sales were 60,903 units, 125% of the previous year, exceeding the preceding year's figure for the
third consecutive year and reaching our target of 60,000 units per year.
(3) The "Suzuki Free Auto Inspection Campaign," conducted each year to inspect user's car and to promote sales and
popular with Suzuki customers, was continued for another year.
AERIO (Export name: LIANA)AERIO (Export name: LIANA) WAGON R+ (manufactured at Magyar
Suzuki Corp. in Hungary)
Individual model topics
(1) Sales of Wagon R amounted to 162,959 units. During October
2002, cumulative domestic sales reached 1,800,000 units, in just
nine years and two months after it was introduced to the market.
(2) The Carry Truck in fiscal year 2002 once again was the best-
selling model in the all-truck segment, making it the number one
SUZUKI MOTOR CORPORATION
5
seller for 32 consecutive years.
(3)
Twin, an economical and
practical 2-seater mini passenger
car, was introduced; it became the
first production mini-vehicle with a
hybrid system in its lineup.
(4) In addition, in fiscal year 2002,
models such as Carry, Wagon R,
Wagon R Solio, Escudo and Grand
Escudo underwent minor-change
modifications, and sales of the
GM's Chevrolet TrailBlazer began,
which strengthened our product
lineup.