SUZUKI SALES JUMP 46 PERCENT IN MARCH – COMPANY CLOSES FIRST QUARTER IN RECORD-SETTING FORM

Grand Vitara and Forenza family lead Suzuki to best March and best Q1 in company history

BREA, Calif. -- -- American Suzuki Motor Corporation (ASMC) today announced sales of 10,887 units in March – an increase of 46 percent over March 2005 and the best March sales in company history. Year-to-date sales, which total 26,639 also are up 40 percent, marking Suzuki’s best ever first quarter. Suzuki’s monthly and quarterly records continue its recent sales momentum which included record sales of 82,101 in 2005 – the best sales year in American Suzuki’s 21-year history. 

ASMC’s growth was led by the sales of its Grand Vitara, which sold 2.940 units, an impressive 532 percent increase over last year’s numbers. The top-selling Forenza family of vehicles also contributed to Suzuki’s record month, with 5,058 units sold in March – a 58 percent increase over 2005.  The company will add to its hot-selling product line with two more U.S. introductions at next week’s New York International Auto Show.

“Suzuki’s successful first quarter continues the company’s recent sales momentum and offers a promising start to our plans for growth in 2006,� said Koichi Suzuki, president of American Suzuki’s Automotive Operations.  “The increasing popularity of the 2006 Grand Vitara, the continuing sales strength of the Forenza models and the excitement for the new vehicles we’ll introduce next week position American Suzuki for a successful campaign this year.�

Suzuki’s expanding product line in the United States includes the media-acclaimed 2006 Grand Vitara, the popular Forenza sedan and Forenza Wagon, the five-door Reno, the Aerio and Aerio SX, the Verona and the Suzuki XL-7, one of the most affordable seven-passenger SUVs sold in the United States.

In addition to the strong vehicle lineup, Suzuki automobiles feature America’s #1 Warranty with its industry-leading 100,000-mile/7-year, zero deductible, fully transferable limited powertrain warranty.


AMERICAN SUZUKI MOTOR CORPORATION MONTH END REPORTING

   MARCH   CYTD
   2006   2005   MTD VS.   2006   2005   YTD VS.
         MTD PRIOR YR.         YTD PRIOR YR.
                        
VITARA:   2    30    -93%   4    220    -98%
GRAND VITARA:   2,940    465    532%   7,215    1,404    414%
XL-7:   1,487    2,189    -32%   4,787    6,908    -31%
AERIO:   1,003    725   38%   2,414    1,682    44%
FORENZA**:   5,058    3,211    58%   11,212    6,628    69%
VERONA:   397    826    -52%   Ã‚                   1,007   2,182    -54%
TOTAL:   10,887    7,446    46%   26,639    19,024    40%

**Please note: Forenza Wagon and Reno sales are included in the Forenza sales.

Suzuki is what, the 2nd largest in Japan?