SUZUKI STRENGTHENS POSITION
27 January 2005 - Suzuki GB PLC

Suzuki held it''s annual dealer conference in Chester last week, with recently appointed Managing Director of Motorcycles, Ichiro Kondo, presenting his sales, marketing and after-sales team to a 150-strong dealer network.

Opening the conference, 43-year-old Kondo thanked the assembled audience for helping Suzuki achieve its goal of No 1 in the over-126cc market in the UK for the second successive year. He then went on to explain that within Europe, the Suzuki organisation is taking action to separate the motorcycle business from the automobile division in order that each subsidiary can focus on its local market demands.

A sales and new model overview was next, with National Sales Manager, Andy Pringle taking to the stage. He announced Suzuki''s retail pricing structure, confirming new-for-2005 model prices and outlined the company''s desire to stabilise prices by making little or no change to its motorcycle and scooter recommended retail price list.

''There is no change to our general policy of setting competitive retail prices that offer tremendous performance and quality for the price. Suzuki is striving to stabilise prices within 2005 and we believe that our retail pricing structure reflects this.''

Pringle then went on to reassure dealers with the news that the preferential trading terms offered by Suzuki to its authorised network were also to remain unchanged, with margins and conditions in place to provide maximum incentive and reward.

Subsequent speakers included:

Tim Leese, Dealer Development Manager, who gave an overview of Suzuki''s corporate identity and signage programme.

Barry Everett, Technical Services Director, with news of Suzuki''s Modern Apprenticeship, Guild of Technicians and Aftersales Advisors and further technical training initiatives.

Wayne Dye, Parts & Accessories General Manager, who gave the dealers a guided tour of the new after-sales operation in Milton Keynes, which will house after-sales, training, parts and motorcycle and marine finished goods operations. Dye also touched on significant new systems developments and customer focussed initiatives.

Marianne Unsworth, Commercial Manager, with supply chain management and control of logistics costs.

Becky Reid, Marketing Manager, who spoke of a new Call Centre to provide Suzuki dealers with a quick-response lead management service and numerous other marketing measures to drive customers into dealers'' showrooms.

Robert Wicks, Team Manager Rizla Suzuki

Philip Neill, Team Manager TAS Suzuki

In closing, Mr Kondo said:

''In a difficult market we achieved our targets. We are still the number one position in the over 126cc category... and we won the number one plate in the British Superbike Championship.

''We have also told you how we are strengthening our organisation and improving our support to your businesses in all areas:

· advertising

· marketing

· the image we present to our customers

· product supply and delivery to your dealerships

· parts distribution

· technical and aftersales support

''Achieving together our plans for 2005 will be a big challenge, but as you have heard we will have the products for continued success in the marketplace.

''Thank you all for your hard work and let''s move forward to even greater success and continue to be ''Number One''.

Suzuki continued into the evening dinner in an upbeat mood and honoured a number of its dealers with special sales and after-sales awards:

- Best New Dealer - West London Suzuki

- Most Improved Solus/Dual Dealer - George Ward Motorcycles

- Most Improved Multi Dealer - Knotts of Stratford

- Customer Service Award - Crooks Suzuki

- Training Award - Rob Willsher Motorcycles

- Aftersales Dealer of the Year - Crescent Motorcycles
- Best efforts & achievements in UK & European Technician of the Year Competitions - Wayne Diprose (John W Groombridge)

- Support of Training Initiatives - Mandy Groombridge (John W Groombridge)

www.suzuki-gb.co.uk

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