J.D. Power and Associates' Dealer Attitude Survey Ranks Suzuki in the Top Ten; Suzuki Dealers Notice Drastic Improvement

Business Wire, Jan 5, 2000

Business Editors and Automotive Writers

BREA, Calif.--(AutomotiveWire)--Jan. 5, 2000

American Suzuki Motor Corp. (ASMC) notches the greatest increase in dealer satisfaction among the 3,000 dealer principles surveyed, according to the recently released J.D. Power and Associates' Dealer Attitude Survey.

"This is the first time that we have been ranked in the top ten of J.D. Power's Dealer Attitude Survey, but it won't be the last," said Gary Anderson, American Suzuki Motor Corp.'s vice president of sales and marketing. "Sales are better than they have been in over 10 years, and we're still working hard to further improve our operations."

At American Suzuki, news of J.D. Power's Dealer Attitude Survey comes as affirmation of the corporation's on-going efforts in the U.S. market. This year alone, American Suzuki has added 59 new dealerships, and is well on its way to its goal of 400 dealerships by January 2001. ASMC sales have been strong this year: the corporation sold 49,888 vehicles in 1999, a 33 percent increase over 1998 sales.

Riding the crest of strong consumer demand for small SUVs, the Suzuki Grand Vitara sold briskly through the year, posting a striking 27,450 sales, a 364 percent increase over 1998 sales. On Jan. 11, 2000, American Suzuki unveils its next big step in the U.S. market at the North American International Auto Show in the form of an exciting concept vehicle, designed exclusively for this market.

Since the beginning of Rick Suzuki's tenure as president, American Suzuki has made vast strides towards improving dealer communications and sales programs. Key to Suzuki's new approach was the creation of a Sales Training Department, the revamping of Suzuki Automotive Leadership Elite (SALE) sales certification program, and the launch of cutting edge dealer sales publication entitled "Road Warriors."

Beginning in May, American Suzuki launched its new Sales Training Department. This department is charged with developing national dealer sales programs that educate dealer principles and dealer sales personnel about Suzuki design and engineering attributes, better enabling them to understand the product and the corporation.

In June, American Suzuki re-initiated its overhauled Suzuki Automotive Leadership Elite (SALE) sales certification program. This program trains dealer sales personnel, educating them about Suzuki product and sales principles. Program graduates are rewarded with gifts, framed certificates and promotional awards.

In November, American Suzuki took another step toward improving dealer relations with the launch of its publication, "Road Warriors." Written for dealer sales personnel, "Road Warriors" is filled with useful, entertaining articles about sales success stories, sales strategies and interesting tidbits about the Suzuki sales world.

Although happy with the great progress the corporation has made as evidenced by J.D. Powers and Associates' Dealer Attitude Survey, American Suzuki is further exploring avenues of reaching dealer sales personnel. In major markets, National Sales Training Manager Alan Bethke is traveling to dealerships and putting on sales seminars. Also new to American Suzuki is a sales training kit that features a training video, companion workbook and written test.

The Automotive Division of American Suzuki Motor Corp. (ASMC), located in Brea, was founded in 1985 by Suzuki Motor Corp. ASMC markets automobiles in the United States through a network of 340 automotive dealerships in 49 states.

ASMC's parent company, Suzuki Motor Corp., based in Hamamatsu, Japan, is a diversified worldwide automobile manufacturer. Incorporated in 1920, SMC has 134 distributors in 175 countries.