Suzuki 2009 Annual Report Download - page 7

6 SUZUKI MOTOR CORPORATION
Suzuki’s Worldwide Manufactur-
ing and Sales
Total overseas automobile production for fiscal
2008 decreased to 1,355 thousand units, 95.6%
compared to the previous year. Worldwide produc-
tion, including Japan, also decreased to 2,494 thou-
sand units, 94.6% compared to the previous year.
Sales of automobiles in overseas markets de-
creased to 1,641 thousand units, 94.7% compared
to the previous year, while total global sales, in-
cluding Japan, also decreased 2,306 thousand
units, 95.9% compared to the previous year.
The Japanese Market
1. Domestic Automobile Market Overview
Domestic sales of all domestic brands for fiscal
2008 totaled 4,701 thousand units (88% y-o-y),
falling below the previous fiscal year and the 3rd
consecutive year-on-year decline. The steep de-
cline in sales particularly in the latter half of the fis-
cal year dropped sales to a low of under 5,000
thousand units. This figure represents a drop to
the 1980 level and a 28-year low.
Mini vehicle sales totaled 1,809 thousand units
(96% y-o-y). New models were successively intro-
duced by each manufacturers from the middle of
the year, however it was not enough to halt the de-
cline in sales in the second half of the fiscal year,
causing sales to fall below the previous fiscal year
for the 2nd consecutive year.
Also, total sales of registered vehicles amounted
to 2,892 thousand units (84% y-o-y) resulting in the
largest ever year-on-year decline. This severe re-
sult has put the figure below the 3,000 thousand
unit level for the first time since 1971, a 37 year
low.
2. Suzuki Sales Status
Suzuki’s total domestic sales for fiscal 2008 were
665 thousand units (99% y-o-y). Domestic market
share was 14.1%, a record high that for the first time
ever, places Suzuki second among the 12 domestic
automobile manufacturers.
In the mini vehicle category, the new Wagon R and
new Alto Lapin were introduced to strengthen prod-
uct competitiveness. Despite severe market condi-
tions, sales amounted to 579 thousand units (99% y-
o-y), which was almost the same as sales the previ-
ous year. This represents a 32% domestic market
share, which increased 1.0 point compared to the
previous year.
Automobiles
In addition to strong sales of the Swift, a Suzuki
mainstay, the domestic introduction of the Splash
resulted in sales of registered vehicles amounting to
85 thousand units (100% y-o-y), which was the
same as the previous year.
3. Suzuki Automobile Topics
•The fourth generation Wagon R was introduced
to the domestic market in September 2008. It
was awarded the RJC Car of the Year award in
November, making it a two-time winner of this
award. Its sales also ranked top in the 2008 mini
vehicle segment for the sixth consecutive year.
WAGON R
•The new compact vehicle Splash was intro-
duced to the domestic market in October 2008.
Manufactured at Magyar Suzuki, our subsidiary
in Hungary, this is the first vehicle to be imported
under our brand name.
SPLASH
Year in Review
•The new Alto Lapin was introduced in November
2008. Its unique design has been popular with
young women resulting in strong sales that have
largely surpassed sales for the previous year.
•Sales of the Carry amounted to 59 thousand
units, placing it top in sales in the truck segment
for the 38th consecutive year.