|
15/12/08: Suzuki to suspend the FIA World Rally
Championship (WRC) activities
Suzuki Motor Corporation has decided to suspend the FIA
World Rally Championship activities from 2009. The company
made the 2008 season entry with two SX4 WRCs.
In responding to the contraction of the automotive sales
caused by recent global economic turmoil, Suzuki has been
promptly taking possible countermeasures including the reassessment
of its global production output. The company, however, foresees
the shrinking trend in longer periods of time rather than
a short-term phenomenon. To secure its own business environment
for tomorrow, the organization reviews every aspect of the
operations and decided to focus on the core business functions
such as the manufacturing system, environment technologies,
and development of new-generation powertrains. As a result,
Suzuki concluded to suspend the WRC activities from 2009.
Suzuki started to participate in the Junior World Rally
Championship (JWRC) in 2002 with Ignis Super 1600 and achieved
the driver's victories two times in the history. Afterwards,
the company moved up to the WRC field in 2008. The entry
to JWRC and WRC brought a great deal of positive effects
on the product development and marketing activities, nurturing
the high sporty automotive brand image, especially in Europe.
Suzuki will continue to support the customers who are participating
in the JWRC, and local motor sport such as Swift Cup with
Swift Super 1600 machines in Europe and the rest of the
world.
Suzuki expresses its great appreciation to sponsors and
fans around the world for their strong support to its activities.
The company will continue to provide valued products for
its customers by utilizing the experiences earned through
the JWRC and WRC activities.
Top of the Page
|
