BREA, Calif. (May 3, 2004) - Powered by an ambitious five-year growth plan and the successful introduction of its new Forenza premium compact and Verona midsize sedan, American Suzuki Motor Corporation (ASMC) sold 7,041 vehicles in April 2004, representing an 18 percent increase in sales compared to April 2003 and giving the expanding automaker its best April since 1987.

"We are encouraged by the record-breaking sales achieved this year," explained Koichi Suzuki, president of American Suzuki's Automotive Operations. "The Verona and Forenza are bringing new customers to Suzuki and increasing awareness of Suzuki's products in the marketplace. We are certain that sales will continue to rise as we complete the necessary steps to reach our goal of tripling U.S. sales by 2007."

Appearing in U.S. showrooms late last year, the Verona and Forenza combine Italian styling with the power, performance, passenger room and standard features usually associated with considerably higher-priced models. The two new vehicles will be followed by the launch of seven additional models by 2007, including the five-door Suzuki Reno and premium compact Forenza Wagon slated to go on sale later this year.


April
VITARA: 335 413 -19%
GRAND VITARA: 366 930 -61%
XL-7: 1,255 2,012 -38%
AERIO: 718 2,597 -72%
FORENZA: 2,223 0 NA
VERONA: 2,144 0 NA

TOTAL: 7,041 5,981 18%
 

+++++++++++++

VITARA: 335 413 -19%
GRAND VITARA: 366 930 -61%
XL-7: 1,255 2,012 -38%

And, are these three down (42 percent down) because nobody is buying them, or because the dealers don't have any?

No, that is not a minus symbol, it is showing the % gained.

I think.

no

bobzooki got it right. funny though you see them losing sales in the suv sector, that can't be positive for there long term growth. unless they end up turning into just a car dealer in north america, but i doubt it. if they sold just as many suv's as they did last year then they would've had a much bigger growth percentage.

i wish suzuki would build a modern day samurai for us in north america. i mean with the price of gas sky rocketing it would appeal to a wide consumer base.

well a guy can dream, can't he  

The two new vehicles will be followed by the launch of seven additional models by 2007, including the five-door Suzuki Reno and premium compact Forenza Wagon slated to go on sale later this year.
FORENZA: 2,223 0 NA
VERONA: 2,144 0 NA

This makes it clear to me, that ASMC is getting OUT of the SUV market.  They've already killed the 2-door Vitara, and the Aerio appears to have tanked, as well.

Seven additional models?  I bet NONE of those are SUV's - we would have seen the concept vehicles by now, yes?

7 cars! That's ridiculous to think that they are bringing out an additional 7 cars.  There has to be some 4x4 SUVs in there.  There's nothing else in their product range...what next?  Minivans and pick-up trucks?  

The SUVs are down for now, but they'll go up again.  You can't expect a steady rise of a vehicle segment to be constant.  There are only so many vehicles and people to buy them.  Also this doesn't reflect the used vehicle market.

In Canada Suzukis are selling very well.  Aerios, Gran Vitaras, Vitaras XL'7s and Swifts are EVERYWHERE.  One dealership was sold out of Aerios when my friend and I went to test drive one.  Verona's are just starting to appear.  Haven't seen any Chevy Epicas though :p

As for the Jimny... I really hope it comes out in North America.  I think it will all come down to the CU trial later this year.

I am going to Suzuki Canada's head office on the 15th of this month to take pictures of their corporate demo of all their motorcycles.  I'm going to do some snooping around to find out if there is anything happening in the 4x4 market.

I really don't think Suzuki is going to abandon their 4x4...it's what made their automotive sector what it is today.

I WOULD SAY YOU GUYS ARE READING IT WRONG...1ST NUMBER IS LAST APRIL SOLD - 2ND NUMBER THIS APRIL - ALL MODELS HAVE INCREASED IN SALES 18 % TOTAL AS STATED  

I WOULD SAY YOU GUYS ARE READING IT WRONG...1ST NUMBER IS LAST APRIL SOLD - 2ND NUMBER THIS APRIL - ALL MODELS HAVE INCREASED IN SALES 18 % TOTAL AS STATED  

Actually, it's the other way around. All vehicle sales have went down with the exception of strong Verona and Forenza sales.

Sorry for the confusion, -Eric

DOH......... ME BAD