Suzuki increases global sales

Suzuki Motor Corporation increased its sales by 15.2 per cent to 3,164 billion Yen (19.4 billion Euro; 13.2 billion £stg) in the past business year 2006/07 (1 April, 2006 to 31 March, 2007). The major factor which contributed to the 8th successive record result was the high demand for Suzuki vehicles and motorcycles in overseas markets. While sales outside Japan grew by a remarkable 20.9 per cent, sales in the home market were up by 4.2 per cent. Growth of the long-established Japanese company was strongest in Europe (+ 34.3 per cent).

The operating profit was up for the 7th time in a row by 16.7 per cent to 132.9 billion Yen (810 million Euro; 552 million £stg). The company reports the 6th successive increase of its annual net profit to a total of 75.01 billion Yen (460 million Euro; 313 million £stg), which is equivalent to a 13.7 per cent growth over the previous year. Suzuki sold 3.065 million motorcycles and All Terrain Vehicles (Quads), as well as 2.22 million vehicles.

Suzuki’s growth targets for the current business year are equally ambitious: vehicle sales are expected to grow by 8.2 per cent to 2.405 million units, and motorcycle sales by 22 per cent to 3.743 million units.

With 4,712 new jobs created worldwide, the corporation had a workforce of 45,510 in its Automotive, Motorcycle and Marine divisions at 31 March, 2007.