American Suzuki Celebrates 25 Years in the U.S.

• Era of innovation begins with America’s first compact SUV, the Suzuki Samurai.

• Swift and Sidekick expand lineup and cement association with fuel efficiency and longevity.

• Kizashi serves as anniversary benchmark and complement to current SX4, Equator and Grand Vitara offering.

BREA, CA - August 26, 2010: With the very real need for personal mobility in the years immediately after World War II, Suzuki – an innovative maker of looms since itsš founding in 1909 – directed its technical expertise to the production of two-wheel transport, beginning with the Power Free motorized bicycle in 1952, and followed by the 60cc Diamond Free – Suzuki’s first true motorcycle – in 1953. Suzuki’s first mass-produced car, the 360cc Suzulight, was introduced to the Japanese market in 1955. And in 1985, twenty-five years ago this month, Suzuki entered the U.S. automotive market with the spectacularly successful launch of its on-/off-road Samurai, America’s first compact SUV.

To further solidify its presence in North America (Suzuki has sold motorcycles in the U.S. since 1963), Suzuki established CAMI Automotive, an automotive assembly facility in Ontario, Canada. In 1988, Suzuki added two more memorable vehicles to its American fleet with the U.S. launch of the Sidekick SUV and Swift compact. While the Sidekick confirmed Suzuki’s reputation in the off-road segment, the Swift quickly became known as both efficient and entertaining, characteristics carried forward to Suzuki’s current automotive lineup. Eleven years later in 1999, the Grand Vitara was first introduced to American consumers and in model year 2000 Suzuki’s largest vehicle to that time, the three-row XL-7, made its North American debut.

Today, in combination with a well-established motorcycle lineup and its continuing success in marine sales, American Suzuki fields a dream team of compacts and crossovers (SX4 Crossover, SX4 Sport and SX4 SportBack), credible SUVs (Grand Vitara), off-road capable pickup truck (Equator) and a value-laden sport sedan (Kizashi). Supported in 49 states by approximately 300 dealers, American Suzuki celebrates its 25th anniversary by offering a lineup of vehicles to satisfy the needs of America’s automotive consumer.

ASMC Corporate Timeline Highlights

1985 – Suzuki of America Automotive Corporation is established, and the Samurai compact SUV goes on sale. U.S. automobile line:š Samurai.

1988 – Suzuki launches the compact Sidekick four-wheel-drive sport-utility vehicle and the Swift compact car. U.S. automobile line:š Swift, Samurai and Sidekick.

1989 – Total aggregate Suzuki car production reaches 10 million units. CAMI Automotive Inc., an automotive assembly facility jointly owned by General Motors and Suzuki Motor Corp. is established and begins operation in Ingersoll, Ontario, Canada.

1990 – Official corporate name changed to American Suzuki Motor Corporation.

1995 – Esteem joins the U.S. lineup, which now totals four vehicles:š two cars and two SUVs. U.S. automobile line:š Swift, Esteem, Samurai and Sidekick.

1999 – Suzuki’s SUV line is enhanced with the arrival of the compact Vitara and larger Grand Vitara. U.S. automobile line:š Swift, Esteem, Vitara and Grand Vitara.

2000 – With the arrival of its largest vehicle yet, the XL-7, Suzuki offers seven-passenger seating for the first time. U.S. automobile line:š Swift, Esteem, Vitara, Grand Vitara and XL-7.

2002 – Suzuki reaches 30 million cumulative automobile sales worldwide and introduces the Aerio and America’s #1 Warranty:š a 100,000-mile/seven-year, fully transferable, zero-deductible powertrain limited warranty. U.S. automobile line:š Aerio, Esteem, Vitara, Grand Vitara and XL-7.

2004 – Forenza is introduced to U.S. market. U.S. automobile line: šAerio sedan and Aerio SX, Forenza, Grand Vitara and XL-7.

2005 – ASMC celebrates its 20th anniversary in the U.S. automotive market and sets a new all-times sales record. The five-door Reno compact and Forenza Wagon join the product line. U.S. automobile line:š Reno, Aerio and Aerio SX, Forenza, Forenza Wagon, Verona, Grand Vitara and XL-7.

2006 – ASMC sells 100,990 vehicles, the first time in its 22-year history the company posted annual sales of more than 100,000 in the U.S. Suzuki introduces the redesigned Grand Vitara. U.S. automobile line:š Grand Vitara, XL-7, Verona, Forenza, Forenza Wagon, Reno, Aerio sedan and Aerio SX.

2007 – ASMC sells 101,884 vehicles, marking the company’s fourth consecutive year-over-year sales increase, third consecutive all-time record sales year and second successive year of 100,000-plus units sold in the U.S. Suzuki introduces the XL7 midsize crossover SUV and five-door SX4 Crossover. U.S. automobile line:š XL7, Grand Vitara, SX4 Crossover, Aerio sedan, Forenza, Forenza Wagon and Reno.

2008 – Suzuki expands the SX4 family to include the four-door SX4 Sport. U.S. automobile line:š XL7, Grand Vitara, SX4 Crossover and SX4 Sport, Forenza, Forenza Wagon and Reno.

2009 – Suzuki introduces the Equator midsize pickup truck, fulfilling the needs of Suzuki motorcycle, ATV and marine owners and enthusiasts. U.S. automobile line:š XL7, Grand Vitara, SX4 Crossover and SX4 Sport and Equator.

2010 – Suzuki introduces the Kizashi, the company’s first entry into the all-wheel-drive sport sedan segment.š Suzuki also adds a new SX4 variant – the SX4 SportBack. U.S. automobile line:š Kizashi, Grand Vitara, SX4 Crossover, SX4 Sport and SX4 SportBack and Equator.

2011 – Suzuki broadens the Kizashi family with the introduction of the all-new Kizashi Sport. U.S. automobile line:š Kizashi, Grand Vitara, SX4 Crossover, SX4 Sport and SX4 SportBack and Equator.

About Suzuki
The Brea, Calif.-based Operations of American Suzuki Motor Corporation (ASMC) was founded in 1963 by parent company Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC) and currently markets its vehicles in the United States through a network of more than 300 automotive dealerships and numerous other motorcycle, ATV and marine distributors in 49 states. With global headquarters in Hamamatsu, Japan, SMC is a diversified worldwide automobile, motorcycle, and outboard motor manufacturer. In 2009, SMC sold more than 2.3 million new cars and trucks and more than 2.8 million motorcycles and ATVs. Founded in 1909 and incorporated in 1920, SMC has operations in 196 countries and regions.