Suzuki to Keep Closer Tabs on U.S. Automotive Preferences With Opening of New R&D Facility in Wixom, Michigan

$3.7 Million Suburban Detroit Facility Is Timed to Support Automaker's Launch of Nine New Vehicles by 2007

WIXOM, Mich., Sept. 11 -- Suzuki Motor Corp. (SMC) has opened a new research and development facility in North America -- Suzuki Tech Center -- as part of a strengthened commitment to making the U.S. market a top priority and keeping closer tabs on American automotive tastes and preferences. The $3.7 million, 1.5-acre facility in Wixom, Mich., 20 miles northwest of Detroit, will enable Suzuki to more closely follow U.S. power, design and interior and exterior feature trends while continuing its sharp recent improvement in vehicle quality.

Timed to support Suzuki's aggressive plan to triple U.S. auto sales by 2007, the opening of the Suzuki Tech Center comes as the automaker launches nine new vehicles in the next five years. The first two models, the six- cylinder Verona midsize sedan and Forenza premium compact sedan, hit Suzuki showrooms this fall as 2004 models.

"The Suzuki Tech Center is further evidence of Suzuki's intensified commitment to the U.S. auto buyer and represents an important new resource in our bid to move further into the American automotive mainstream," said Mitch Yamamoto, Tech Center manager. "Many recommendations regarding power, design and features for future Suzuki models sold in the U.S. will be made to Suzuki Japan from here. We also expect this facility to contribute to recent vehicle quality improvement trends so that we can continue to deliver the performance, reliability and value Suzuki customers have come to expect."

The 19,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility will serve as ASMC's North American center for certification testing, fleet vehicle evaluation, consumer research, product development and other technical work -- and is patterned after similar successful R&D facilities in Japan, Asia and Europe.

About American Suzuki

The Automotive Division of American Suzuki Motor Corporation (ASMC), Brea, Calif., was founded in 1985 by Suzuki Motor Corporation. ASMC markets automobiles in the United States through a network of more than 450 automotive dealerships in 49 states. ASMC's parent company, Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC), based in Hamamatsu, Japan, is a diversified worldwide automobile manufacturer. Founded in 1909 and incorporated in 1920, it has 141 distributors in 127 countries.