Suzuki Motor on track for record year

TOKYO (AFP) — Suzuki Motor Corp. has said its net profits rose by one fifth in the nine months to December from a year earlier as solid overseas sales kept it on course for its best ever full-year earnings.

Japan's top mini-vehicle maker said Thursday net profit rose 20.1 percent to 57.51 billion yen (477 million dollars) in the first three quarters of its financial year.

Operating profit rose 15.3 percent from a year earlier to 99.02 billion yen while revenue rose by 14.6 percent to 2.24 trillion yen.

Mini-vehicles are gaining in popularity here as fuel costs soar.

Suzuki sold a ...