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New Suzuki Distributor Opens in Panama

Night view of Motores Japoneses, S.A.
Drivers experience the 4WD test course onsite at Motores Japoneses
Customers in for maintenance can watch the service shop in action, while they wait
On 8 February this year, Motores Japoneses, S.A. - an outstanding new Suzuki distributor - celebrated its initial success with the inauguration of its impressive new permanent headquarters designed to highlight the Suzuki brand.
   Among the unusual features of this outstanding facility are a 4WD test course and a unique glass-walled service area. The innovative setup features a showroom with 10-car display, parts storage and a full-service shop. In addition, the distributor is in a prime business location facing one of Panama’s busiest crossings of main streets, offering great potential for high customer exposure.
   Accordingly, the new showroom has boosted sales and is expected to play a major role in expanding future sales while enhancing the Suzuki brand image in Panama.
     
  President of India Visits Maruti Suzuki

Indian President, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam shakes hands with Managing Director J. Khatter of Maruti Suzuki
The President of India, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, visited the Maruti Suzuki facilities in Gurgaon on 25 May for the very first time, accompanied by His Excellency Dr. AR Kidwai, Governor of Haryana.
   Dr. Kalam, who is very popular across India, is also a top nuclear scientist. During the two-hour tour of Maruti’s Research and Development Department, he showed keen interest in operations and production processes, asking company engineers several knowledgeable questions.
   Later, the President addressed Maruti employees, laying out national research and development plans for 2015 and urging the engineers to work collaboratively on bio fuels, solar power and superior vehicle safety, while reducing weight of cars through use of advanced materials. He praised Maruti’s efforts at reducing cost and improving productivity, and urged that the time has come for “Maruti-designed, Maruti-developed and Maruti-produced vehicles” to be launched in the international markets.
     
  New Suzuki Showroom Opened in Cambodia
 
In June, Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC) entered the promising Cambodian automobile market, which is expanding due to the rapid economic growth.
   Cambodia Suzuki Motor Co., Ltd. (CSMC) is a joint venture of SMC with OMC Group Co., Ltd. (OMC), which was established in July 1999 as a distributor of motorcycles. CSMC started assembling motorcycles in October 1999 and now imports and distributes automobiles, currently selling only the new Grand Vitara.
   OMC celebrated the grand opening of its new showroom on June 8. The ceremony was attended by His Excellency Sok An, Deputy Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, His Excellency Ambassador of Japan Katsuhiro Shinohara and General Manager Kinji Saito of SMC’s Global Marketing Division.
     
  “AutoBILD allrad” Readers Select Suzuki Grand Vitara “4x4 Car of the Year 2007”

Suzuki's Minoru Amano accepts “4x4 Car of the Year 2007” from Mr. Wolfgang Berghofer (left) and Dr. Hans H. Hamer (right) CEO of AutoBILD-Group
The Suzuki Grand Vitara was voted “4x4 Car of the Year 2007” by more than 35,000 readers of the “AutoBILD allrad”, Europe’s leading 4x4 magazine. The Grand Vitara topped 19 competitors in Category A for Off-Roaders and SUVs in the compact class, as “an economical and compact car with European style and in fact qualified for off-road experiences.”
   The seventh readers’ awards were presented by “AutoBILD allrad” chief editor Bernhard Weinbacher on 12 April, the eve of the Auto Mobil International in Leipzig, one of Central Europe’s top motor shows. Automobile Vice President Minoru Amano of Suzuki International Europe accepted the award for the Grand Vitara, saying “The award shows how much German car buyers appreciate our more than 35 years of all-wheel expertise. For us this is a clear demonstration to continue designing competent 4x4 off-road vehicles with comfortable on-road performance.”
     
  Mini Version of the Urban Challenge Off-road Course

The innovative new 4x4 “Roadeo" course
In April of this year, Suzuki dealers in Bensheim, Germany became the first equipped to offer customers a genuine off-road type of experience right at their PR events, thanks to the innovative new 4x4 “Roadeo" course.
   Visitors to Suzuki dealer events now can try out the off-road capabilities of the Jimny and Grand Vitara in person as passengers with experienced drivers. On a terrain measuring 18 metres wide and 4 metres high, the vehicles can perform balancing acts, and tackle such challenging obstacles as 38° inclines. Two special runs - a bump track and a see-saw - are also part of the repertoire of this extraordinary steel construction.
   The portable off-road course was designed with Richard Schalber, creator of the Suzuki Urban Challenge so popular at big industry events for more than three years now. Dealers interested in deploying this spectacular new promotional tool should request early, since there currently is only one 4x4 “Roadeo" course available for hire.
   The "Roadeo Drive", which can be erected within a matter of just two hours, answers the demands of ambitious dealers for impressive and appropriate ways to promote enthusiam among potential customers for the Suzuki brand and its diverse vehicle lineup.
     
  Pak Suzuki Expands Annual Production Capacity

Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz cuts ribbon at Pak Suzuki
On 6 February, the celebration of Pak Suzuki’s expansion of its annual production capacity to 150,000 cars was honoured by the distinguished presence of Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and many national and provincial VIPs, as well as Japanese Ambassador to Pakistan, Seiji Kojima. As Pakistan’s automobile market rapidly expands, production and sales are steadily increasing: Pak Suzuki sold 112,000 cars in 2006, up 30% over 2005.
   Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz spoke at the ceremony, following a factory tour conducted by Mumtaz A. Sheikh of Pak Suzuki. Prime Minister Aziz warmly commended the expansion: “Today, I actually had a chance to see skilled workers manufacture various models of car with excellent supervision and advanced facilities. I hope the company will take the lead of automobile industries of Pakistan in future.”