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		AUTOMOBILES   Journalists Enjoy Test Drives at Pan European Launch of Splash Splash test drive press conference At the Suzuki Splash Pan European Press Launch in Cannes, France 4-8 February, some 400 journalists from 25 European countries test-drove the brand-new Splash from Nice Airport to Port Canto in Cannes. Besides the 65 test-drive vehicles, three Splash cars were displayed at the Hotel Martinez, a landmark venue of the Cannes Film Festival.    After the test drive, Board Member and Senior Managing Executive Officer Toshihiro Suzuki of Global Marketing, General Manager Stefan Gundelach of the European Marketing Centre and several chief development officers appeared at the press presentation. SMC President and COO Hiroshi Tsuda welcomed journalists and explained the Splash's role of meeting the needs of modern urban families, the next phase of Suzuki's world marketing strategy.    The media's response to the Splash's urban lifestyle potential was positive, praising the spacious interior, attractive styling and great handling. Participants also liked the comfortable driving position, with adjustable front seat height and positionable steering wheel.
		Spanish Distributor Sponsors Grand Vitara Adventure in Morocco Grand Vitara Expedition in Moroccan desert Automotive journalists and VIPS participated in a 2-6 April Suzuki Grand Vitara event in Morocco sponsored by Suzuki Motor Ibérica that started in Ouarzazate and finished in the dunes of Mhamid. The challenging two-day expedition through the desert with the standard-equipped vehicles illustrated why this model has stayed in Spain's top-selling rank of 4X4s in 2006, 2007 and the first quarter of 2008.    The expedition took participants to various historic ruins and off-road venues in Morocco. Along the way, General Commercial Manager of Suzuki Motor Ibérica Juan López Frade expanded good relations with the region's population by presenting the chiefs of two small villages with winter clothes and shoes for residents.    The event demonstrated the Grand Vitara's powerful 4x4 capabilities by challenging oueds (sand rivers) and the dunes sea at Erg Laoudi.
		Splash Production Begins at Esztergom in Hungary Left to right: Hungarian State Secretary Gábor Dióssy and SMC President & COO Hiroshi Tsuda at Splash line-off ceremony Serial production of Magyar Suzuki Corporation's new fourth "strategic world model", the Splash, started in Hungary on 8 February 2008.    The production launch began with a dance spectacle and an assembly demonstration using a styrofoam Splash. Hungarian State Secretary Gábor Dióssy drove the first turquoise blue Splash off the production line, directed by Japanese Ambassador to Hungary Shinichi Nabekura. Among the distinguished guests were SMC President and COO Hiroshi Tsuda, as well as former Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Medgyesi. Former Suzuki Hungary Zrt CEO Kazuhisa Toda, new CEO Isao Ozawa and Esztergom Mayor Tamás Meggyes all spoke at the ribbon-cutting ceremony.    State Secretary Gábor Dióssy pointed out in his remarks that Suzuki is a nice example of cooperation between the giants and smaller businesses. So far, SMC has attracted 19 foreign supply companies to Hungary and there are more than 70 Hungarian suppliers.
		Magyar Suzuki Co-Sponsors International Youth Football Tournament in Hungary Exciting football play at Puskás-Suzuki Cup This year's Puskás-Suzuki Cup football tournament, established and sponsored by Magyar Suzuki Corporation in partnership with Puskás Ferenc Football Academy, was played 14-15 June at Puskás Academy and Székesfehérvár Stadium in Hungary.    The Cup - which teaches youth fair competition and helps them prepare for a healthy and dynamic adult lifestyle - featured competition among four teams: Real Madrid (Spain), Panathinaikos (Greece) and Honved and Puskás Academies (both from Hungary). Real Madrid won the gold medal, scoring five goals on the Puskas Academy who took the silver. The Greek team won the Bronze medal, beating Honvéd by 1:0.    The Cup honors football legend Ferenc Puskás, captain of the undefeated "Magic Magyars" Hungarian Team. This year's event included a tournament of adult teams from Magyar Suzuki, Puskás Academy and journalists, as well as face-painting and inflatable bouncers for small children, and concerts for everyone. Next year, MSC plans to invite additional youth teams from other countries, including Japan.
		Malaysian Joint Venture makes Exciting Start National Dealer Conference participants in Malaysia On 21 April, SMC and Itochu Corporation of Japan announced a joint venture agreement with DRB-HICOM, one of Malaysia's leading conglomerates, signalling an exciting new start for Suzuki Malaysia Automobile(SMA).    At a National Dealer Conference on 21 April, SMA shared its plans with the 27 Suzuki dealers of Malaysia's network. Leading restructured management will be new Managing Director Ibrahim Maidin, who has 27 years of experience.    Malaysian appreciation of the brand is strong, with sales of Suzuki passenger vehicles in 2007/2008 soaring to 261% of the previous fiscal year (FY), amounting to total sales of 3,318 units compared to 1,272 in the previous FY. Malaysian market response has been strong to the locally assembled Suzuki Swift 1.5L launched in July 2007 and three exciting CBU models: Swift Sport, Grand Vitara and the all-new SX4 Sport Crossover. SMA has set a sales target of 8,000 units for FY 2008/2009.
		Suzuki Sponsors High-Profile EAFF Championship Finals Japanese (blue) and China (red) football players in play at EAFF finals SMC sponsored the East Asian Football Federation (EAFF) football championships held in Chongqing, China 17-24 February.    Four teams selected from countries and regions competed in the finals: the People's Republic of China, Japan, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and the Republic of Korea. The men's winning team was from The Republic of Korea, while the team from Japan took the women's championship.    Supporting the EAFF Championship helps enhance Suzuki's brand image in China and throughout Asia. Television coverage showing the stadium's sponsor message boards broadcast the Suzuki logo throughout China, and the TVCF broadcast of Suzuki models on sale in China, including the SX4, was well received.    Suzuki's interests in China include wholly owned subsidiary Suzuki Motor (China) Investment Co., Ltd. of Beijing; and two joint ventures: Jiangxi Changhe Suzuki Automobile Co., Ltd. and Chongqing Changan Suzuki Automobile Co., Ltd. in the vicinity of the championships venue.