Suzuki to supply 3 ATV models to Kawasaki

NEW YORK, July 2 Reuters reported that in a move to expand ties and cut costs, the U.S. unit of Suzuki Motor Corp said on Tuesday it plans to supply three all-terrain vehicle (ATV) models for the North American market to Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd (Tokyo:7012.T - News), on an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) basis.

American Suzuki Motor expects the OEM deal -- to be executed in the next few months -- to help better compete with ATV market leaders such as Honda Motor Co and Yamaha Motor Co, the Nihon Keizai Shimbun said in its Wednesday online edition.

North America is the largest market for ATV vehicles used for recreation as well as farming, a spokesman for American Suzuki said.

Suzuki, Japan's top mini-vehicle maker, will also start supplying motorcycle models to Kawasaki on an OEM basis, the spokesman said.

Its 400cc ATV model will be shipped from Suzuki Motor's plant in Aichi in central Japan, while the 80cc and 50cc models will be supplied from its facilities in Taiwan and South Korea.