Suzuki 2013 Annual Report Download - page 8

6 SUZUKI MOTOR CORPORATION
Year in Review
Automobiles
Spacia
Suzuki’s Worldwide Manufacturing and Sales
Total overseas automobile production for scal 2012 increased to 1,834,000 units, 102.9% compared to the previous scal year. Worldwide
production, including Japan, also increased to 2,878,000 units, 102.7% compared to the previous scal year.
Sales of automobiles in overseas market increased to 1,989,000 units, 101.2% compared to the previous scal year, while total global sales,
including Japan, also increased to 2,660,000 units, 103.9% compared to the previous scal year.
Operating Results by Segment
In the automobile business, the operating income became the highest ever, which increased by ¥36.1 billion to ¥150.6 billion year-on-year,
mainly due to the increase of income in India, ASEAN, and the Japanese domestic automobile business.
The Japanese Market
1. Overview of the Japanese Automobile Market
Total domestic automobile sales volume in scal 2012 surged by 10% year-on-year to 5,210,000 units. Government subsidies for purchases of
environment-friendly models were in place through the rst half of the scal year. These subsidies stimulated demand to such an extent that
automobile sales volume exceeded ve million units for the rst time in ve years. Sales of minivehicles showed a marked increase of 17% year-
on-year to 1,973,000 units (the second-highest gure on record). Overall sales of registered vehicles rose by 6% year-on-year to 3,238,000 units.
2. Suzuki Sales
Suzuki’s domestic automobile sales volume in scal 2012 surged by 13% year-
on-year to 672,000 units. Key factors supporting the sales growth were the
government subsidies for purchases of environment-friendly models in
the rst half of the scal year and Suzuki’s sales-promotion eorts
for new models in the second half. Suzuki’s sales of minivehicles
grew by 14% year-on-year to 586,000 units. The launches of two
new minivehicle models (the new Wagon R and the Spacia) in the
second half supported the sales growth. Suzuki’s sales of registered
vehicles rose by 6% year-on-year to 85,000 units. They were up for
the third year in a row. A marked increase in sales of the Swift was a
key driver of growth in Suzuki’s sales of registered vehicles.
3. Suzuki Topics in Fiscal 2012
• In September 2012, Suzuki became the rst Japanese automaker to see its cumulative domestic sales of minivehicles reach 20 million
units. Suzuki reached this milestone 56 years and 11 months after its October 1955 launch of the Suzulight.
• Also in September 2012, Suzuki launched the new, fth-generation Wagon R. The new Wagon R is one of the most fuel-ecient models
in its class owing partly to fuel-saving technologies such as the ENE-CHARGE regenerative braking system and partly to weight savings.
Suzuki adopted a SUZUKI GREEN Technology package for the rst time in the new
Wagon R. The Automotive Researchers’ and Journalists’ Conference of Japan (RJC)
chose SUZUKI GREEN Technology as the 2013 RJC Technology of the Year.
• Suzuki launched the Spacia (a tall miniwagon) in March 2013. The Spacia
incorporates SUZUKI GREEN Technology. It is selling well thanks to its supe-
rior combination of roominess, fuel economy, safety, performance, and
user-friendliness.
• In June 2012, Suzuki complemented the Solio compact passenger
car with a strikingly styled new version named the Solio Bandit.
New Wagon R