115 Open & Sports Production National Champion

Team Suzuki ends 2009 season on high note

Suzuki Philippines has emerged as one of the top racing marquees in the local motorsports scene as Team Suzuki ended the 2009 season with national championships in the 115 Open Class and 115 Sports Production categories, and first runner-up overall standings in the 150 Open and 180 Automatic Open categories.

In the season-ender held last October 18 at Clark International Speedway, Team Suzuki clinched championship points with 1-2 finishes by Johnlery Enriquez and Paul Mark Doblada, both riding the Suzuki Smash Revolution in the 115 Open Class and 115 Sports Production categories.

In the highly competive 150 Open Class, Johnlery Enriquez, riding a Suzuki Raider R150, emerged as overall 1st runner-up. Similarly, Ivan Santiago posted overall 1st runner-up points in the 180 Automatic Open Class on a Suzuki Step 125.

According to Suzuki racing team manager Lito Alontaga, “Racing has always been part of the Suzuki heritage, and Suzuki motorcycles have a well-deserved reputation as powerful, high-performance machines. In the Philippines, the Suzuki Team has been rejuvenated with stronger management initiatives, as well as our partnership with Yoshimura Japan to develop performance kits for our bikes. We are very pleased with what we have achieved this year and look forward to an even more competitive season next year.”

The Suzuki Smash Revolution, which dominated the 115cc competitions, is a revolutionary motorcycle that combines power and fuel efficiency for everyday use. This race-proven powerhorse has a high-revving, strong-pulling 110cc engine that is also extremely economical. This is thanks to Suzuki’s patented Pulsed Secondary Air Injection (PAIR) system that maximizes engine efficiency by igniting unburned gases inside the exhaust port. In addition, improved bodyworks and trendy decals give the Suzuki Smash Revolution its distinctively sporty look and fashionable style.

The Suzuki Raider R150 is a trailblazing sporty underbone with a powerful twin-cam 150cc engine that delivers a class-topping maximum power of 16-horsepower. Its lightweight frame, combined with telescopic front and rear mono-shock swing-arm suspensions, makes the Suzuki Raider R150 one of the best road-handling bikes as well. Suzuki has partnered with Yoshimura Japan to develop a performance kit consisting of exhaust pipe and intake camshaft. These enhancements are expected to provide a performance boost by maintaining maximum power at higher rpm.

Not to be outdone, the Suzuki Step 125 also turned in excellent race results in the 180 Open Automatic category. Its high-power, high-torque 125cc engine, combined with a continuously variable transmission system lives up to its billing as a power-fully automatic machine that takes comfort and excitement to a new level. Outside of the race track, the Suzuki Step 125 is packed with high-end features such as a terminal power source for mobile charging, a large underseat compartment with multi-purpose pouch, and anti-theft magnetic key ignition shutter lock.

Official Team Suzuki riders consist of Johnlery Enriquez, Paul Mark Doblada, and Ivan Santiago. They are ably supported by Lito Alontaga, team manager; Mel Aquino, team captain; Noel Villapando, team assistant ; Jeric Guevarra, chief mechanic; Robert Ulang, assistant team mechanic ; Ricardo Ortiz, team parts control coordinator; Malvin De La Cruz, Glen Lastra and Armstrong Herber, pit crew.

Suzuki maintains strong global presence on value-packed products

Profitable Operations

Despite the current global financial crisis, Suzuki Motor Corporation has maintained a solid reputation due to its strong position in the mini-vehicle market, thus bolstering its operational performance.

In June this year, Suzuki’s worldwide vehicle sales topped the 40-million mark, with 19.67-million units sold in Japan, and 20.33-million in overseas markets. In March 2009, it reported 30-billion yen in net earnings from worldwide operations, the largest such earning among automotive companies, and one of only two companies which registered a profit for fiscal year 2008. Suzuki has an unbroken track record of consistently profitable operations for the past 30 years, an achievement of particular significance as it celebrates its centenary in October 2009.

Winning Legacy

Suzuki motorcycles have always been a strong presence in the global racing scene, capturing trophies and championships in Grand Prix and other international races. This winning track record has given Suzuki products a well-deserved reputation for power, consistency, and durability.

In 1970, Suzuki became the first Japanese manufacturer to win a motocross world championship when Joel Robert won the 250cc title. In succeeding years, Suzuki established itself in the motorcycle racing world with world championships in the premier 500cc category of road racing and motocross.

Suzuki’s winning legacy has resulted in a Guinness record for the Suzuki Hayabusa, recognized as the “world’s fastest production bike,” capable of achieving a top speed of 317kph.

In its own understated way, Suzuki automobiles also have a solid following, particularly in the mini-vehicle and off-road 4x4 categories. Relying on performance, quality, value and high-technology, Suzuki is one of the world’s largest car manufacturers, outselling Mazda, Subaru and Porsche combined.
The Suzuki Alto and Suzuki Swift are leading models in the mini-vehicle category, while the Suzuki Grand Vitara, Suzuki Fronte, and Suzuki Jimny are well-loved among off-road enthusiasts.

The Suzuki Swift debuted in the JWRC (Junior World Rally Championship) in 2005, and has since enjoyed several winning moments. In 2006, the Swift won five out nine events, and was rated as the best in the Super 1600 category. In 2007, P-G Andersson won the championship on the Suzuki Swift.

Strong Global Presence

From industrial looms in 1909, Suzuki now produces a full range of automobiles, including light trucks, off-road sport-utility vehicles, mini-cars, as well as racing bikes, scooters, all-terrain vehicles, and marine outboard motors.
The Suzuki brand has a strong market base in Europe, particularly in Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, and England. The Suzuki Alto is the best-selling car in India, averaging 20,000 units sales monthly.

Globally, Suzuki employs over 45,000 people, has 35 main production facilities in 23 countries, and distributors in 196 countries. Its manufacturing philosophy is grounded on providing value-packed, high-quality products offering both reliability and originality. Suzuki R&D efforts are devoted to creating products that will meet the challenges of the next generation.

Suzuki offers service assistance for flood-damaged vehiclesSuzuki offers service assistance for flood-damaged vehicles

Suzuki Philippines recently announced a special service assistance to Ondoy victims by offering 25% discount on flood-damaged parts and 20% discount on labor for repair of flood-damaged vehicles.

According to Suzuki President Satoshi Uchida, “Our company philosophy has always been to offer our customers value-packed, high-quality products that enhance their quality of life. By offering this service assistance to Suzuki vehicle-owners, we hope to help ease their recovery so that they can continue to enjoy the Suzuki way of life.”

The special service assistance is available for current Suzuki vehicles like the APV, Grand Vitara, Swift, SX4, Celerio, Alto and Jimny models. To facilitate servicing, only units sold by authorized Suzuki dealers are eligible for the special discounts. Similarly, only customers with Ondoy/flood-affected Suzuki vehicles are qualified for the service assistance.

The Suzuki flood assistance discount is available at the following Metro Manila and Luzon dealers: Alabang (02 6592954 –55 –57 & 58), Commonwealth (02 9512201 to 09), E. Rodriguez Sr. Ave. (02 7263747, 02 7262709, 02 7260569), Kalookan (02 3649093 & 02 3666547), Makati (02 8933820 & 02 8140803), Manila Bay (02 5561579, 02 5561485), Pasig (02 5716870 & 78), Shaw (02 7181834 & 02 724 8901), Cabanatuan (044 4635248 & 02 463 0089), Dagupan (075 5171717 & 075 5178888), Laguna (02 5206725 & 049 4111060), Naga (02 6642173 & 054 4723577), Pampanga (045 9613573 & 045 8605971).

The Suzuki APV Type II SGX , a 7-seater family van, was recently chosen as the “2009 Van of the Year” by local automotive publication, C! Magazine. The Suzuki Alto, meanwhile, has recorded worldwide sales of 10-million units, and is the best-selling car in India with an average of 20,000 units sold monthly.

In the Philippines, Suzuki is the only integrated automotive brand selling both automobiles and motorcycles through a nationwide dealer network.