SUZUKI FAMILY

Global Communication Magazine
AFF SUZUKI CUP 2012
Qualifying Round Match: 5-13 October 2012
Final Round Match: 24 Nov - 22 Dec 2012
More detailed Info. at http://www.affsuzukicup.com/
SUZUKI FAMILY
September 2012
136
Suzuki ERTIGA Introduced to Indonesian Market
Suzuki New Outboards DF140A/115A/100A
Elena Myers Scores Historic First at Daytona
and more...
About the tournament:
The AFF Suzuki Cup is a biennial football
competition organized by the Asean Football
Federation (AFF), accredited by FIFA and contested
by the national teams of Southeast Asia.
SUZUKI FAMILY
No.136
English version
Issued date: September 2012
Published by:
SUZUKI MOTOR CORPORATION
300 Takatsuka-cho, Minami-ku, Hamamatsu City,
Japan 432-8611
A photo taken at a game of 2010 AFF Suzuki Cup.
Suzuki Family is always happy to hear from our readers. Please send your letter and photo(s) with Suzuki products to:
Suzuki Family Editor
Global Marketing Administration Department
Suzuki Motor Corporation (address shown left)
(Letters and photos sent to us cannot be returned, and may be edited for publication.)
Printed in Japan on recycled paper
Excitement around the
successful launch
Suzuki Indomobil Motor (SIM) and Suzuki Indomobil Sales
(SIS) launched the Suzuki “ERTIGA” in Indonesia at a media
event staged on April 22, 2012 in Jakarta. Attendees included
such VIPs as Mr. Budi Darmadi, Director General of the
Indonesian Ministry of Industry. The launch ceremony then
aired nationwide on primetime television, which was
followed by regional launches in 38 cities throughout
Indonesia. The crowds of euphoric visitors who flocked to
each of the ERTIGA launch events attested to the strong
interest in this new product.
The ERTIGA is a new MPV
with seating for seven
occupants in three rows of
passenger seats. Following soon
after an initial launch in India,
Indonesia becomes the second
market in which the model has
been introduced. The ERTIGA
sold in the Indonesian market is
being produced locally at an SIM
plant. Created to satisfy the transportation needs of
Indonesians who are always looking for a versatile family
vehicle, the ERTIGA features plenty of room for cabin
Suzuki Indonesia brings excitement
into your life with the introduction of
occupants, an elegant and stylish design, excellent
driving performance and outstanding fuel efficiency.
Toshihiro Suzuki, Executive Vice President of the
Suzuki Motor Corporation, attended the launch
ceremony, where he offered the following words.
“Over the entire course of the 36 years since Suzuki
started production in Indonesia in 1976, we have
continued to provide products that satisfy our
Indonesian customers. We strongly feel that the
ERTIGA will also bring satisfaction and driving pleasure
to the people of Indonesia.”
The SUZUKI ERTIGA
A complete package of style, comfort and utility.
The ERTIGA offers comfortable seating and plenty of room for seven occupants in three
rows, an elegant and stylish design, and excellent performance and fuel efficiency.
Major Features
Outstanding comfort
throughout the cabin
Smart seating and
load space
Stylish design that appeals High performance and
efficiency
to modern families
The ERTIGA provides outstanding
comfort and ample legroom in all
three rows of seats.
Whether the entire family is
travelling together or carrying extra
luggage on a longer trip, there is
plenty of space inside the ERTIGA.
The ERTIGA’s smart blend of form,
function, and space offers a new
level of versatility. The second and
third row seats can be quickly
arranged in a variety of
configurations to accommodate
different passenger and load
requirements.
The ERTIGA is designed to satisfy
the needs of today’s large families.
Its outstanding packaging delivers
all the advantages of an MPV with
three rows of seats and a spacious
interior, but without the bulk one
might expect.
The advanced new K14B WT engine
that powers the ERTIGA is a
lightweight, fuel-efficient 1.4L
petrol engine. Optimized intake
valve timing and numerous other
refinements provide smooth power
delivery and outstanding fuel
economy, while at the same time
realizing satisfying driving
performance.
SUZUKI FAMILY
September 2012
2/3
Elena Myers
Scores Historic
First at Daytona
Riding her Suzuki GSX-R600 to victory Elena Myers
becomes first female winner of a
Daytona motorsports race.
California teenager, Elena Myers, rode her Suzuki GSX-R600 into the history books becoming the
first female winner of a professional motorsports race at the famed Daytona International Speedway
at the 2012 season-opener for the AMA Pro SuperSport series.
“I just won Daytona,” enthused Elena Myers, “Pretty crazy
way to start the season off”. Riding her Suzuki GSX-R600 to
a first place finish against an all-male field in the open AMA
Pro SuperSport series race, Elena didn't just enter the
winner's circle - she entered the history books. The AMA
Pro SuperSport is the premier motorcycle road racing series
in the United States and one of the most competitive road
racing series in the world.
The SuzukiScoopFans* team had a brand new Suzuki
GSX-R600 ready and raring to go. In the saddle was an
18-year-old California college student who rode flawlessly,
battling for a podium position for 10 laps, waiting for just
the right instant to take the Daytona draft to victory. “Man,”
she said, “I didn’t think I was going to do it when I was
coming down the straight, but somehow I pulled it off. The
craziness of Daytona!” Elena was effusive in her praise for
the GSX-R600 and the Suzuki team. “I can’t thank my
SuzukiScoopFans team enough for putting a bike as good
as the Suzuki GSX-R600 underneath me all weekend.”
Despite her young age, Elena is not new to the circuit,
or to Daytona. In March of 2010 she made her AMA Pro
Racing debut at the fabled track armed with a pair of Team
Hammer-prepared Suzuki GSX-R600 racebikes. Just 16
years old at the time and barely eligible for her racing
license she stayed with the pack finishing a solid seventh in
both races of the AMA SuperSport double-header. Last year,
despite missing several races with a broken wrist, Elena
collected six top-five finishes, a testament to her talent and
her grit. All the while she was gaining valuable experience
and learning to truly love the performance of the Suzuki
GSX-R600. Elena continues to perform well this season
including a solid fifth place finish at Barber Motorsports
Park in Birmingham, Alabama where she was one of three
Suzuki riders to fill the top five places.
Racing as SuzukiScoopFans, Team Hammer, Inc. has
also been a part of this remarkable history for a quarter
century. And now together, SuzukiScoopFans, the team who
have helped design and build the GSX-R600, and our fans
and customers around the world can take pride that Elena
Myers is writing a new chapter of the Suzuki Family history.
* American Suzuki has changed its “SuzukiScoopFan” Facebook page to
“Suzuki”. Please see http://www.facebook.com/SuzukiCycles for Elena
Myers’ GSX-R600 team updates.
SUZUKI FAMILY
March 2012
4/5
New
Products
Something
Special
Pure Natural Fun -
Sano’s Wooden Boats
New DF140A/115A/100A
Maximizing Fuel Economy,
Power and Performance
Suzuki has engineered a trio of new outboards that deliver
excellent fuel economy without sacrificing the kind of
performance desired by today’s boaters.
The DF140A, DF115A, and DF100A outboards are based
on a 2044cm3 in-line 4-cylinder block and feature a
16-valve DOHC powerhead that delivers high power output
and efficient operation.
Each of the three new outboards benefit by employing
the Suzuki Lean Burn Control System. Allowing the engine
to run on a leaner, more efficient fuel/air mixture, this
system has been delivering remarkable fuel economy on
Suzuki’s award winning flagship, the DF300AP, as well as on
the DF20A/15A and DF40A through DF90A.
EURO 1 Emissions Standards
(EU Directive 2003/44/EC) Label
All three feature an O2 Sensor Feedback Control System
that realizes more stable operation. The DF140A and
DF115A also incorporate a Knock Sensor that optimizes
engine performance to deliver greater reliability.
Incorporating a number of innovative Suzuki technologies
to achieve cleaner, more efficient operation, all three
engines conform to the European Commission’s
Recreational Craft Directive (RCD) 2003/44EC and have
earned three-star ratings from the California Air Resources
Board (CARB).
The functional beauty of newly designed engine covers
conveys an aggressive, powerful image, and each proudly
carries Suzuki’s Chrome “S” mark embossed on the front.
Built with today’s needs in mind, these new outboards
allow boaters to enjoy going further and faster, for less.
Key Features
• 2,044cm3 in-line 4-cylinder engine featuring
16-valve double overhead cam.
• The Suzuki Lean Burn Control System delivers significant
improvements in fuel economy over a wide operating range.
• The O2 Sensor Feedback Control System optimizes fuel delivery for
cleaner emissions and more stable performance.
Japan’s excellence in marine manufacture
recognized around the world
Sano’s dedication to perfection in wooden boats became
known to the boating world 25 years ago when the
charismatic U.S. Editor-in-Chief of WoodenBoat Magazine,
Jon Wilson, the Mystic Seaport’s America and the Sea Award
2012 winner, recognized the skill of the Sano Shipyard and
introduced it to his worldwide readership. Wilson recognized
that natural warm curved lines and detailed finish are only
possible by real traditional craftsmanship.
Every stage of construction at
the Sano Shipyards is meticulous.
No detail is overlooked from the
graceful curves and lines of the
hull to the mahogany gleaming
under a dozen coats of the highest
quality varnish to the beautifully
crafted wooden interiors. Each
Sano boat is unique and specially ordered to meet the
requests of the most discerning wooden boat owners.
This commitment to artistry has made Sano the world’s
premier wooden boat maker. Ryutaro Sano, the ninth
President said, “By having a chance to build a “Wasen”, we
returned to the peak level of traditional building techniques
for wooden boats. With this precious experience we will be
able to build boats that fit today’s
society.” All of us at Suzuki are
proud of the Sano family, Japan’s
outstanding wooden boat builders,
and we welcome them to the
Suzuki Family.
The 10th generation: Tatsuya Sano
President Ryutaro Sano
Comparison of Fuel Consumption per 1 Liter of Fuel
(New DF140A vs. Original DF140)
New DF140A
Good
Going further, faster, for less
CARB Three-Star Label
For ten generations the Sano family has been perfecting
their wooden boat building techniques. Located by the
Tokyo waterfront, the Sano Shipyard makes contemporary
boats that are the descendants of traditional Japanese
wooden boats, called “Wasen”. With their beautiful curved
lines and comfortable cabins, Sano wooden boats attract
boat fans to rediscover the exhilarating natural ride of these
remarkable cruisers, yachts and the popular runabout.
The Sano runabout is a
particular favorite of wooden boat
aficionados with the gentle flare
of its stylish hull and its freshly
varnished bow deck. Minoru Sano,
a Sano family craftsman, said,
“The external appearance is
elegantly sleek and graceful but
the real joy is the way the
wooden boat slides perfectly
along Tokyo’s waterways”.
Minoru Sano with his runabout • The DF140A and DF115A feature a Knock Sensor System that
optimizes engine performance.
• The Suzuki Water Detecting System alerts the operator with visual and
audio warnings to help protect the engine from moisture in the fuel.
• The Suzuki Troll Mode system offers finer control over engine speed at
low rpms. It is optionally available on all three models.
• Suzuki’s ergonomically designed Multi-Function Tiller Handle provides
easier, more comfortable control. It is optionally available on the
DF115A and DF100A.
Original DF140
Uses 14% less fuel compared to the original DF140,
mainly in the cruising range where the engine is
used a majority of the time.
Trolling
Cruising
High-speed
rpm
SUZUKI FAMILY
September 2012
6/7
What’s Goin’ On?
James Stewart Joins Yoshimura Suzuki Racing Team
Supercross/Motocross Champion James Stewart
has signed a multi-year contract to race Suzuki
RM-Z450s in both the AMA Motocross and
Supercross series for Yoshimura Suzuki Racing
team backed by American Suzuki Motor Corporation. Stewart’s first entry - and win - on his RM-Z
was at Round 1 of the 2012 AMA Pro Motocross
Championship in Sacramento, CA on 19 May. The
following week in Texas, he won both motos.
Among four-stroke 450s, the Suzuki
fuel-injected RM-Z450 has won the most AMA
Motocross Championships and races, plus is the
first fuel-injected 450 to take both titles. “Racing
is in our blood and DNA here at American
Suzuki,” said Suzuki Senior Director of Motorcycle & ATV Sales and Marketing Larry Vandiver,
“And this new relationship with James Stewart
will help propel that success for years to come.”
Holland’s Formido Swift Cup Hosts
Young Drivers
Suzuki Belang Challenge
Develops Novice Racers
The New Swift Sport debuted at the Formido Swift Cup
races in the Netherlands in April of this year, following the
five successful seasons of the previous model. The
Formido Swift Cup is a racing event where talented young
auto sport competitors can develop their skills on the
track. Over 16,000 spectators enjoyed thrilling battles
among novice drivers on the circuit in Zandvoort.
This Swift Cup was also the venue of another
exciting debut: for the first time a physically disadvantaged driver competed, driving a special Swift Sport
adapted for manual operation.
Formido, one of the Netherlands’ largest franchise
do-it-yourself store
chains, has committed to three more
years of sponsorship.
The company has
even supplied over
80 of its store
managers with brand
new Swift cars!
As part of its corporate social responsibility program,
Suzuki Assemblers Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. (SAM) sponsored
the Suzuki Belang Challenge (SBC) in the remaining eight
rounds of the Petronas AAM Malaysian Cub Prix Championship 2012. SBC gives aspiring young riders an opportunity
to build their skills in motorsports through extensive
training and racing exposure at minimal cost.
Eighteen novice riders started the event on Suzuki
FU150 bikes provided by SAM. The races were telecast
nationwide and extensively covered by local motoring
magazines and other media.
Suzuki Team Rider Captures
Malaysian Championship
Aoki Trains
Indonesian Suzuki Racers
On 29 April, riding the Smash V, Elly Idzlianizar Ilias of
Suzuki Forty One Racing, the sole Suzuki team in the 2012
Petronas AAM Malaysian Cub Prix Championship, won his
first race in the CP130 class during round 3. Starting from
the seventh grid, Elly rode a near-perfect race to win the
headline-grabbing victory in front of his home crowd.
The final was telecast live in Malaysia and received
extensive coverage by the local motoring magazines and
other media, so the victory for Suzuki’s team in the highly
competitive championship provided a tremendous boost
for Suzuki Brand Image in Malaysia.
Suzuki factory test rider Nobuatsu Aoki hosted a two-day
training school at the Kenjeran circuit in Indonesia in
February, at the invitation of PT. SUZUKI INDOMOBIL
MOTOR. The former GP rider shared his knowledge and
skills with Suzuki's top Indonesian Indoprix Championship
riders and helped motivate other Suzuki series contenders at the challenging technical circuit in Surabaya city.
The most popular racing class in Indonesia – which is
the third-largest global market with annual motorcycle
sales of more than 8 million - is Indoprix, where the
popular Suzuki Smash Titan (FW110) is highly competitive
in both the 110cm3 and 125cm3 classes.
PT. SUZUKI INDOMOBIL MOTOR has been fielding two
teams in the 2012 Indoprix Championship - Suzuki AHRS
Racing Team and Suzuki Chia Felix Racing Team .
Elly Idzlianizar Ilias, center, on the podium.
USER’S
VOICE
Former Olympic Athlete Runner
Loves His Suzuki V-Strom Grand Tourer
From Ireland
Chairman of the Irish Sports Council’s High Performance Committee Eamonn
Coghlan is renowned for his successes on the American indoor track circuit.
Coghlan has won 56 races and broken the world record for the indoor mile on
three occasions. He is currently the only athlete over 40 to have broken the
record for the four-minute mile.
The three-time Olympian is also a great fan of Suzuki motorcycles:
“Motorcycling, from the point of view of a hobby, almost replaced running for
me,” he remarked. It started in 2006 when Coghlan met a motorcycle touring
group travelling the US:
“I met them in Chicago and when I saw them, I got really interested. I
used to have a motorbike when I was a kid, but this got me going and I bought a 600cm3 Suzuki Bandit.”
“I now have a 1,000cm3 Suzuki Grand Tourer that I use on my daily commuting and my wife Yvonne and myself also do
charity runs: recently, a US one in which we travelled 3,000 miles in two weeks. It’s great fun,” said Coghlan.
SUZUKI FAMILY
September 2012
8/9
What’s Goin’ On?
SHOWTIME
G70 and Swift Range Extender*
Spotlighted in Geneva and China
In recognition of the need to undertake environmental
initiatives in automotive markets, Suzuki has been cutting the
CO2 emissions of conventionally powered cars with weight
reduction and reducing running resistance, while also
developing next-generation electric powertrains.
To highlight these diverse environmental efforts, Suzuki
introduced two concept models – the G70 and the Swift Range
Extender – at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show (8-18 March) and
2012 Beijing International Automotive Exhibition (23 April - 2
May). At both exhibits, Suzuki showcased the two models
under the slogan “Suzuki Green”.
Jakarta Fair Achieves
Brisk Sales of Suzuki Motorcycles
PT. SUZUKI INDOMOBIL SALES won the prize for best display
booth - designed around the AFF Suzuki Cup 2012* theme - in
the annual Jakarta Fair, held 14 June to 15 July and attended by
about 4,500,000 visitors. The Fair is the Indonesian city’s
biggest public event, promoting all types of durable goods,
from household appliances to automobiles.
Suzuki sold 1,650 motorcycles, an increase over last year’s
sales, with strongest performance by the popular Satria F150.
Highlights of the Suzuki booth that attracted the most
visitors were the new 250cm3 sport bike, the INAZUMA, and
the nex Fl fuel-efficient scooter.
HQ News
1
* Please see the Cup schedule on the back cover.
Suzuki and Intelligent Energy of UK
Form Fuel Cell Joint Venture
Suzuki Expands Automobile
Production in Vietnam:
SMC production and marketing subsidiary Vietnam Suzuki
Corporation broke ground 25
April for a new automobile
plant, intended to keep pace Groundbreaking ceremony in
with the expanding automo- Long Binh Techno Park
bile market in the country. Vietnam Suzuki is moving its
current plant and constructing a new one adjacent to its
motorcycle plant in the Long Binh Techno Park in Dong Nai
Province. The new plant will open in 2013 with first-year
production capacity of 5,000 autos.
Suzuki Motor Corporation established a 50/50 joint venture
company in February, SMILE FC System Corporation (SMILE
FC) - with Intelligent Energy Holdings PLC (IEH) of UK - to
develop, manufacture and commercialize a fuel cell
system by combining the fuel cell development technology
of Intelligent Energy (IE) with control and mass-production
technologies of Suzuki. The headquarters is located within
Suzuki headquarters in Hamamatsu and the research
facility at Suzuki’s Yokohama Laboratory.
Suzuki and IE have already exhibited co-developed
motorcycles equipped with air-cooled fuel cell systems at
past Tokyo Motor shows and in 2011 earned the world’s first
Whole Vehicle Type Approval (WVTA) for the Burgman Fuel
Cell Scooter.
SMILE FC System Corporation will accelerate development of fuel cells for next generation eco vehicles.
Changan Suzuki Begins Building
Second Plant in China
Chongqing Changan Suzuki Automobile, Co., Ltd. (Changan
Suzuki), an automobile manufacturing and sales joint
venture company in China, began building its second plant
in Banan District, Chongqing on 16 April. Scheduled for
completion in summer 2013, the new plant will start
production in December with 150,000-unit capacity. It is
scheduled to expand its capacity as the market expands.
To meet expanding Chinese automobile demand by
quickly reaching annual production of 500,000 units, the
new plant’s capacity will be
steadily increased, along
with that of an existing plant
on the site that produces
250,000 units.
Groundbreaking at the new site
* These models were exhibited as the “REGINA” and “Swift EV Hybrid”
at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show.
Winning Sales Team
Suzuki Dominates the
Bolivia market
Motorcycle Exhibition
Proves Popular in Vienna
Suzuki Austria participated in a “Fahr 2Rad”, two-wheeler
exhibition, 20 - 22 April in Vienna that introduced some 25,000
visitors in three days to the Suzuki Spirit, displaying 54 examples
of SMC’s versatile lineup - including scooters, motorcycles and
electric bikes - 14 of which were available for test rides.
Visitors took 1,200 test rides on three different indoor
tracks, plus enjoyed 560 guided outdoor test rides supervised by
the Vienna police.
Suzuki Austria’s Motorcycle Sales Manager Wolfgang
Brunner remarked: “It was very important to offer test rides.
Most of the newcomers to this show had never tried a motorcycle before, but they thought
that a moped, e-bike or 125cm3
motorcycle might be good for
their daily commute. Plus,
existing customers had the
chance to try our big bikes on a
guided street course.”
IMCRUZ CORP. S.A., Suzuki’s
distributor in Bolivia has a
dominant market share in that
South American country. Each
year
market
share
has
increased: from 20% in 2005 to
32.8% for the January to July period of 2012. IMCRUZ has a total
of 60 sales persons and their flagship model is Grand Vitara.
Their continuing success comes from their steady focus
on customer satisfaction under the motto of “Excellent
Customer Service” since beginning sales with Suzuki in 1984.
IE’s CEO Dr. Henri Winand with SMC’s Chairman & CEO Osamu Suzuki
2
New Suzuki Plants for Asia
Suzuki Constructs New Motorcycle Plant in India :
Suzuki Motor Corporation laid the foundation stone 23
April for a new motorcycle plant in Rohtak, Haryana of
India. Scheduled for completion in 2014, the plant’s annual
production capacity will be 500,000 units.
Since 2006, Suzuki Motorcycle India Private Ltd. (SMIPL),
a production and sales subsidiary established in 2004, has
produced two scooter models and two motorcycle models at
a Gurgaon, Haryana plant. In FY2011, SMIPL achieved
production of 350,000 units, a 122% year-on-year increase.
3
Maruti Suzuki Passes
Domestic Sales and Export Milestones
Ten Million in Domestic Sales:
Suzuki’s subsidiary Maruti Suzuki India Limited on 9 February attained the ten million mark in cumulative domestic
sales, the only automobile company in India to pass that
milestone. Managing Director and CEO Shinzo Nakanishi of
Maruti Suzuki India Limited remarked “Even as India has
grown and transformed, Maruti Suzuki has evolved to meet
changing demands”.
One Million in Cumulative Exports:
On 30 April, Maruti Suzuki also exported its one millionth
vehicle, a glistening red Alto that will be sold in Denmark.
Managing Director & CEO Shinzo
Nakanishi said, "A million cars in
overseas markets is a significant milestone for us. We are
happy that cars manufactured at
Maruti Suzuki India have found
good customer acceptance in
overseas markets.”
IMCRUZ’s showroom and the sales team
SUZUKI FAMILY
September 2012
10/11
AUTOMOBILES
MARINE PRODUCTSS
MOTORCYCLESS
What’s Goin’ On??
MOTORCYCLES
Dutch Suzuki Fans Caught
on Camera!
Earlier this year, Dutch Suzuki distributor B.V.
NIMAG sponsored a nationwide photo contest
encouraging Suzuki riders to go out with their
Spring Service Campaign
Stimulates Business for SIE
cameras and try to capture photos of the
“biggest Suzuki fans in the Netherlands”.
The response was overwhelming, with
hundreds of fans from all over the country
sending in creative and original photos
illustrating “Team Suzuki spirit”. Photographers of the 50 best submissions were
rewarded with a unique VIP trip to round 3 of
the FIM World Superbike Championship in
Assen, including a meet and greet with
Crescent FIXI Suzuki riders John Hopkins and
Leon Camier.
A selection of the photos can be found
on the Suzuki Netherland Facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/Suzukimotoren
Suzuki GB Dealers Sponsor
Nationwide Road-show
Spain’s SUZUKI XPERIENCE 2012
Proves Unforgettable
This year, Suzuki motorcycle dealers in Great
Britain sponsored a nationwide road-show of
test-riding
opportunities
and
special
limited-time offers that ran for four months,
beginning 26 May. As many as four events ran
each weekend, with nearly the entire model
range available for test rides and Suzuki GB
staff on-hand to keep things rolling smoothly.
Suzuki GB Marketing Manager George
Cheeseman remarked: “We're delighted that
the dealer network has come together for
this nationwide event. Not every dealer can
make
every
model
available
for
demonstration, so the model range makes
this exciting. This is a ‘back to basics’
approach, putting riders on bikes and
connecting them with dealers."
Promoted through dealer's own customer
databases, local media and Suzuki's social
media channels, the road-show days have
proven to be very successful, with contacts
recorded from each event and good
conversion rates monitored as well.
In June, at least 1,000 biking enthusiasts
participated in the Suzuki Xperience 2012 on
the Motorland Aragon Circuit in Spain, with
former World Champion motorcycle road
racer Kevin Schwantz as the guest star.
The exciting activities created an unforgettable day for bikers, starting with Suzuki
Action School for Suzuki owners led by Kevin
Schwantz himself. Following that, participants enjoyed test rides of the new V-Strom
650 ABS, the GSR750, the GLADIUS and the
BURGMAN range and an exhibition featuring
the Suzuki Spanish road racing championship
(CEV) team, with riders Javi del Amor and
Adrian Bonastre on their GSX-R1000s.
Also offered were motorbike simulator
races; workshops on safety, on-road settings
and track settings; a slow-riding race for
moto-clubs assistants and visits to the GP
track. Naturally there was a Suzuki motorbikes exhibit, a Suzuki Merchandising
Boutique, a popular Kevin Schwantz signing
session and much more.
From January through March, Suzuki International Europe (SIE) ran a spring service
campaign aimed at keeping Suzuki motorcycle workshops profitable during the winter
season. Timing was good, since seasonal
license plates on many motorcycles expire
between October and March.
A cooperative effort of the service, spare
parts, accessories and sales/marketing
departments created attractive service and
warranty packages. But dealers were free to
choose the most suitable offer for them,
which encouraged participation. In addition
to an advertising teaser available from SIE,
Suzuki dealers could choose from several
media to inform customers about their
individual special offer packages.
The incentives and rewards to customers
for vehicle inspections were valuable, including a generous 12-month mobility warranty
(road-side assistance) for all vehicles
inspected within campaign period; pick-up
service for the first 20 customers and numerous other discounts on various kinds of parts,
labor and accessories. The promotion
resulted in 4701 inspections and participation by 222 dealers.
Although motorcycles have been used
mainly for basic transportation in China,
growth of income and resulting lifestyle
changes have steadily increased demand for
recreational bikes, prompting Suzuki to
pioneer two large displacement motorcycles
in the Chinese market: Suzuki’s flagship
motorcycle Hayabusa 1300 (displacement
1300cm3) and cruiser type SUZUKI BOULEVARD M109R (displacement 1800cm3).
The Hayabusa and SUZUKI BOULEVARD
M109R will be marketed by a dealer in Beijing
and two dealers in Shanghai. This initial sales
network will be expanded gradually, especially to the larger cities that tend to lead the
demand for recreational two wheelers.
Taiwanese Market Welcomes
Suzuki’s New Big Bikes
In May, Suzuki introduced three large motorcycle models to the Taiwanese market:
SUZUKI BOULEVARD M109R, GLADIUS ABS and
V-Strom 650 ABS.
Before the market premier, Tai Ling Motor
Co., Ltd. held a press launching event and
reception for Suzuki motorcycle users on 23
April at ATT-4-FUN. The world-renowned
AKEMI, already a popular model, was featured
there as an image character designed to
build enthusiasm in advance for the new
model premiere.
On 2 June, 50 riders participated in the
test rides offered in Dong-Hu (East Lake),
Taipei. Such a high turnout indicates that
good sales returns are a likely result of the
launch activities.
Mauritius Moto Social Ride
Emphasizes Safety
Suzuki Launches
Large Displacement
Motorcycles in China
On 30 June, Suzuki Motor Corporation
introduced the ultimate sport Hayabusa 1300
and the flagship cruiser SUZUKI BOULEVARD
M109R to the Chinese market. SMC entered
China early in the 1980’s selling 110cm3 to
150cm3 two-wheel vehicles, and now the
1300cm3 to 1800cm3 bikes are being
introduced to satisfy changes in market
demand.
Emcar Co Ltd, a Suzuki distributor on the
island nation of Mauritius, organized a Big
Bike Social Ride on the 7 April that was
open to all makes. Of the 43 participants, 30
were Suzuki riders.
Motorcycle Manager Adrien Rogers
welcomed riders and offered them a Suzuki
gift package and light breakfast. He then
reviewed details of the journey ahead,
emphasizing respect for road safety guide-
lines and explaining that breaks during the
journey would feature demonstrations of safe
riding techniques.
Riders began the 200km journey in Port
Louis and traveled mainly on the northwest
coast of the island, stopping for lunch at the
popular Mont Choisy public beach.
At the end of the ride, Rogers thanked the
riders and promised an early repeat of the
Social Ride.
SUZUKI FAMILY
September 2012
12/13
AUTOMOBILES
MARINE PRODUCTSS
MOTORCYCLESS
What’s Goin’ On??
Suzuki Outboards Star in UK’s
Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant
AUTOMOBILES
Poland’s Suzuki Fan Club
Enjoys Tenth Rally
MARINE PRODUCTS
Suzuki Marine Liaison Office
Is a Big Commitment to Europe
GM Masahiro Yamamoto at his office
At the European Press launching in May of
new models in Schwielowsee, Germany,
Marine & Power Products Group Manager
Yasuharu Osawa announced the July establishment of the new Suzuki Marine European
Liaison office in Brussels, Belgium. “Suzuki
Motor Corporation decided to establish the
new office because customers expect
standardized service throughout Europe, but
each market is unique, so we need to tailor
products and services accordingly,” he
explained, impressing media and distributors
with the strong Suzuki commitment to the
market.
Activities to expand Suzuki brand awareness, rationalize business operation and step
up market research activities for future
product development began in the city of
Diegem, supervised by liaison General
Manager Masahiro Yamamoto.
Suzuki Marine Celebrates
Decade of Growth in Australia
and New Zealand
The ten-year anniversary of Suzuki’s association with Haines Suzuki Marine in Australia
and New Zealand was celebrated at a
national dealer conference in Noosa, Australia with new product releases and test rides
Suzuki GB supplied 55 four-stroke DF2.5
outboard motors to UK Sea Cadets for use in
the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant held on
3 June. More than 1,000 ships and boats
paraded about 11km on the Thames River,
watched from the banks by more than one
million spectators.
The aquatic event
celebrating the 60 years of Queen Elizabeth
II’s reign was enjoyed by another 3 billion
people worldwide on television and the
internet.
The 55 boats equipped with Suzuki
DF2.5s led the Queen’s barge in a diamond
formation, with boys and girls aged 12-17
from Great Britain and Commonwealth
nations aboard.
Since 2010, Suzuki GB has been providing
outboard motors to the non-profit Sea
Cadets organization, which offers in-depth
marine education programs to children in the
UK. Based on its reliability, compactness and
light weight, the 68cm3 four-stroke DF2.5 was
chosen as the best match for all 55 of
Cadets’ small boats participating.
More than 100 of Poland’s Suzuki fans met for
two days of friendship and automotive
competitions in early May.
The 4x4 off-road part of the rally was held
the first day in Jura Park, a mountainous region
in the South of Poland, offering new experiences and challenging development of driving
skills. On the next day, the participants
competed at an airport, where timing and
precision were important.
The airport proved to be a perfect place for
a picnic! In the evening, the organizers reviewed
the rally events and handed out awards.
Suzuki 4x4s Plough Forward
Suzuki Ireland will be showcasing its 4x4s
and other cars at this year’s Irish National
Ploughing Championships, the largest
TO PICS
for dealers and marine media.
Suzuki Representative Director and
Executive Vice President Toshihiro Suzuki
officially opened the conference. New
DF20/15A, DF300/250AP, DF140/115/100A,
and 10th anniversary limited version white
DF40/50/60A were launched to enthusiastic
dealers. The new products attracted glowing
reviews and considerable excitement.
Haines Suzuki Marine Chairman and CEO
John Haines was delighted by the success of
the event and expressed appreciation for the
relationship with Suzuki: “My company and
our country’s enthusiasm for the brand,
product quality and engineering excellence
grows stronger every year. We are honoured
to be in a position to celebrate 10 years of
Suzuki-branded excitement in Australia and
New Zealand.”
Amid the excitement of new product
launches, Queensland Water Police, an
important commercial customer of Suzuki
Marine, presented Haines Group Chairman
and CEO John Haines with a plaque citing
Suzuki’s outstanding contribution to rescue
and recovery efforts during the Queensland
floods in 2011. Suzuki Marine Australia
worked tirelessly around the clock providing
essential motor and maintenance support to
the lifesaving work of the water police.
WHERE’S
THE ACTION
New Colombian Automobile Distributor
Launches Suzuki Sales Network
?
Derco Colombia S.A.S.
New distributor Derco Colombia S.A.S. began
automobile sales in early June before its
formal opening on 20 June in Bogota,
Colombia. The large-scale opening ceremony
- very well-attended by industry media - was
hosted by distributor President Ramiro
Urenda, whose speech expressed his
confidence and enthusiasm for Suzuki
vehicles.
The Suzuki distributor’s network will
thoroughly cover the Colombian territory,
with 18 showrooms in 13 cities and six more
to open in the second half of this year. Both Suzuki and Derco Colombia are committed to
a successful partnership and confident that the new dealer network will restore Suzuki as
a leading player in the Colombian automotive market.
agricultural show in Europe. In Wexford 25-27
September, the Suzuki exhibit will include a
complete model range including Alto, Splash,
Swift and the SX4 and Grand Vitara 4x4s.
“This is an ideal opportunity for Suzuki
Ireland to demonstrate its range of off road
vehicles and our range of diesel engines. As
diesel engines account for 74% of all new car
sales in Ireland, it is important for the farming
community to be aware of Suzuki’s commitment to this growing market,” said Declan
Maguire of Suzuki Ireland, “The Grand Vitara
has been an institution in the Irish farming
community. It’s also a great opportunity to
show the 4x4 technology and how Suzuki is
constantly developing and innovating this
technology.”
Photo shows last year’s event.
Swiss Beach Soccer League
Sponsored by Suzuki
Magyar Suzuki Sponsors
U17 Football Tournament 2012
From Switzerland
From Hungary
Suzuki
Switzerland
last year became the
title sponsor for the
national Swiss Beach
Soccer League, as
well as the automotive sponsor of the
Swiss national beachsoccer team. This
year’s league season
will feature the 16 best
national teams, playing
in nine weekend games held in different regions. The familyoriented events offer entertainment and sports excitement appealing to people of all ages.
Beach soccer became popular a few years ago and there are
now National, European and World Beach Soccer Championships.
More Info: http://www.beachsoccer.ch/suzuki-league/index.html
Magyar Suzuki Corporation partnered with Ferenc Puskás Football
Academy for the fifth time, sponsoring the annual U17 international youth football tournament, held 6-9 April in Felcsút,
Hungary. The tournament, named after legendary player Ferenc
‘Pancho’ Puskas, hosted six competing teams: Real Madrid of
Spain, Panathinaikos of Greece, Austria Wien and others. Budapest Honvéd won the tournament for the second time.
“Magyar Suzuki actively
supports Hungarian sports”,
remarked
CEO
Hisashi
Takeuchi, “All participants
were
enthusiastic
and
dedicated, and we offer our
warm congratulations on
their achievements”.
More Info: http://pfla.hu
http://puskassuzukicup.net
SUZUKI FAMILY
September 2012
14/15