Suzuki 2006 Annual Report Download - page 9

SUZUKI MOTOR CORPORATION
MOTORCYCLES
Suzuki’s worldwide manufacturing and sales
Total overseas motorcycle production (including ATVs) in fiscal 2005 was 2,533,000 units, exceeding 102% compared to
the previous year. Worldwide production, including production in Japan, increased to 3,138,000 units, 106% compared to
the previous year. Gains were also made in overseas motorcycle sales (including ATVs) with 2,907,000 units sold, 104%
compared to the previous year, while total global sales, including Japan, reached 3,061,000 units growing to 105%
compared to the previous year.
The Japanese Market
1. Domestic market overview
The number of motorcycles put out by the four Japanese manufacturers in the domestic market in the period from April 2005
to March 2006 stood at a total of 710,000 units (103% compared to the previous year).
Breaking this figure into displacement categories shows volume for the 125cm3 and under class increasing 563,000 units
(101% compared to the previous year), and the 126 cm3 and over class also increasing 147,000 units (108% compared to the
previous year).
Further breakdown of the figures for the 50 cm3 and under class showed a drop in sales to 478,000 units (98% compared to
the previous year) due to a drop in scooter sales, which accounts for 80% in this class, to 381,000 units (99% compared to the
previous year).
Sales in the 51 to 125 cm3 class increased to 85,000 units (126% compared to the previous year), driven by sales of newly
introduced scooter models.
Looking at the figures for larger models, sales of scooters and touring models remained strong with sales in the 126 to 250
cm3 class increasing to 101,000 units (109% compared to the previous year).
In the 251 to 400 cm3 class, overall sales grew to 26,000 units (109% compared to the previous year) due to a big increase in
scooter sales. Sales in the 401 cm3 and over class grew to 20,000 units (103% compared to the previous year) with an increase
in sales of scooters while sales of touring models declined.
2. Suzuki status
With increased volume in the 125 cm3 and under class, with sales of 126,000 units (119% compared to the previous
year), and in the 126 cm3 and over class, with sales of 25,000 units (103% compared to the previous year), total volume for
Suzuki in fiscal 2005 increased to 151,000 units (116% compared to the previous year).
Looking at sales in the 50 cm3 class, shipments increased of models such as the “Let’s 4” 50 cm3 4-cycle scooter, which
was introduced in October 2004. In particular, the introduction of the “Address V125” in February 2005 contributed to
substantial expansion of sales in the 51 to 125 cm3 class where 34,000 units shipped (221% compared to the previous
year), and also contributed to the growth of whole market in this class.
Regarding sales of large displacement motorcycles, sales in the 126 to 250 cm3 class increased to 18,000 units (113%
compared to the previous year) as models like the “SKYWAVE 250SS” were in good demand. Sales in the 251 to 400 cm3
class fell to 5,000 units (76% compared to the previous year) with a decline in sales of touring motorcycles, a category in
which the “DR-Z400SM” did well last year. Sales in the 401 cm3 and over class however, increased to 3,000 units (102%
compared to the previous year) with the touring category showing an increase in sales.
YEAR IN REVIEW
SUZUKI MOTOR CORPORATION
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Let’s 4 (UZ50) SKYWAVE250SS (AN250SS)
Address V125 (UZ125G) DR-Z400SM