Sept. 1, 2008 – Suzuki worldwide sales volume up

Suzuki Motor Corp. reported mixed results for its motorcycle division from its first quarter.
Suzuki’s worldwide motorcycle sales volume increased more than 20 percent to 989,000. However, the total revenue from those sales amounted to $924.9 million, a 18.4 percent decrease from the prior-year period.
The quarterly report, which looks at data from April-June, shows overall Suzuki narrowly improved its sales and net income. Worldwide sales for all segments increased nearly 2 percent while net income rose 7 percent.
Sales of automobiles, which accounts for Suzuki’s largest revenue segment by far, rose nearly 5 percent in terms of revenue and 8 percent in volume.
The quarterly report did not provide North American powersports sales number, although it did note Suzuki manufactured 5,000 ATVs in North America, down from the 6,000 it had produced at this time last year.
In June, American Suzuki Motor Corp. did note several of its motorcycle models were up in sales compared to the previous year, including its Hayabusa (up 10 percent), its Boulevard C50T (up 25 percent) and its V-Strom 650 (up 20 percent). The company’s Burgman 400 scooter also was up in sales 30 percent over the previous-year period.
Suzuki’s overseas motorcycle segment sales rose 23 percent while its domestic sales in Japan fell 22 percent. psb