American Suzuki Gives Southern Californians Their First Look at the 2005 Reno and Forenza Wagon During the California International Auto Show

As the Auto Show Season Kicks-Off in American Suzuki's Neighborhood, Show Attendees Can See Suzuki's Full 2005 Line of Cars and SUVs

ANAHEIM, Calif., Oct. 27 -- American Suzuki Motor Corp. (ASMC) arrives at the 2004 California International Auto Show in Anaheim, Calif. -- just down the freeway from its headquarters in Brea -- at a unique time in its 20-year history of selling cars and SUVs in the United States. Sales growth, new-product introductions and customer and dealer excitement for the brand are at all-time highs.

And now, Southern California auto enthusiasts will be treated to a first look at two new, European-designed Suzuki models, the five-door 2005 Reno and Forenza Wagon. These, combined with the newest models of the Grand Vitara and XL-7 SUVs, the Aerio, Forenza and Verona sedans, and the dynamic Aerio SX five-door crossover, give Suzuki its most diverse product line ever.

"Clearly, American Suzuki is on the move with new products that underscore our commitment to offering America's best value," explained Koichi Suzuki, president of ASMC Automotive Operations. "Innovative new 2005 models are drawing more first-time Suzuki customers and helping us grow in the U.S. market."

Year-to-date sales of Suzuki cars and SUVs in the U.S. through September 2004 are up 25 percent over the same period last year. The Reno and Forenza Wagon are the third and fourth in a series of nine new vehicles Suzuki is introducing to triple its sales to 200,000 vehicles by 2007. Exceeding consumer expectations for capable toughness, leading-edge styling and high-end features at prices well below the competition are the stand-out virtues the entire line demonstrates.

With eight different body styles -- six cars and two SUVs -- Suzuki offers a tremendous range of choices for today's savvy, value-conscious buyer in 2005. But for all their diversity, Suzuki products deliver in important ways: All offer unusually high levels of features and amenities for the money. Plus, every vehicle in the line is covered by America's #1 Warranty, Suzuki's industry-leading, 100,000-mile, fully transferable, zero-deductible powertrain limited warranty.

The diverse Suzuki product line gained two new European-styled models in 2004 -- the premium compact Forenza sedan and the midsize Verona sedan. Now for 2005, the compact five-door Reno and the versatile Forenza Wagon join the restyled Aerio sedan and Aerio SX cars. On the SUV side, Suzuki offers the Grand Vitara and the right-sized XL-7 - two full-capability sport-utility vehicles that have the sheer toughness to stand up to off-road challenges, yet the refined comfort to be perfectly at home on city streets like Harbor Boulevard and Katella Avenue. In all, the 2005 Suzuki product line is on track to cement its position as the value-packed choice -- truly the smart move for car and SUV buyers.

All-new Reno five-door packs style and substance

The new 2005 Suzuki Reno is set to transform the subcompact segment with an irresistible blend of expressive European style and admiration-worthy features. Factor in the confidence of America's #1 Warranty, and the Reno pulls even farther ahead of cars like the Scion xA, Mazda3, Toyota Matrix and Ford Focus.

Designed to appeal to young Gen Y buyers as well as a wide cross-section of stylish, functional and cost-conscious car shoppers, the Reno distinguishes itself in a crowded marketplace with spectacular standard equipment -- for entertainment, comfort and safety on congested Southland freeways like the 5 or 405 -- including a rockin' eight-speaker CD/AM/FM audio system with MP3 capability, steering-wheel-mounted audio controls, four-wheel disc brakes, front seat-mounted side airbags, new advanced weight-sensing passenger-side front airbag, air conditioning with micron air-filtration system, power windows and door locks, heated power side mirrors and speed-sensitive power steering. Move up to the LX or EX trim levels, and you can get a power tilt-and-slide sunroof, 15-inch alloy wheels, front fog lamps and even luxurious leather seating.

With five-door versatility, solid handling and a strong 2.0-liter, four-cylinder, 16-valve, DOHC engine, the Reno is the perfect antidote for boring econo boxes and ho-hum SUVs.

New Forenza Wagon blends utility and luxury

It took the arrival of luxurious $30,000-and-up European performance-oriented wagons to make the wagon configuration cool again. Now with the arrival of the Forenza Wagon, a sleek, Euro-styled wagon is within reach of many more buyers. With a long list of standard equipment, increased safety technology, plus available upscale luxury features (such as leather seating surfaces), the Forenza Wagon neatly splits the functional difference between sedans, SUVs and minivans and is a perfect fit for the needs, wants and budget of many of today's car buyers -- especially young families headed to Malibu or the L.A. Zoo for a day of fun in the sun.

Styled by the famed Italian Pininfarina studio, the Forenza Wagon has genuine European wagon DNA. Inside, the quiet cabin, metallic accents on the doors, instrument panel and center console echo the technically sophisticated look of the exterior, giving the Forenza Wagon's interior a decidedly upscale ambience. The Forenza Wagon -- even in base trim -- comes with features such as standard air conditioning with micron air-filtration system; four-wheel disc brakes; speed-sensitive power steering; power windows, door locks and mirrors; eight-speaker in-dash AM/FM CD/cassette audio system; built-in roof rails; steering-wheel-mounted audio controls; and many more popular features. With distinctive style, roomy utility and the premium features of an upscale sedan, the new Forenza Wagon proves that it really is possible to have it all -- and not break the bank in the process.

Flagship Verona sedan features important upgrades

Suzuki made its first entry into the midsize sedan class in 2004 with the Verona, going head to head with cars like Camry, Accord and Altima. Now in 2005, the evocative Verona has become an even more formidable flagship for Suzuki, sporting a variety of new features and upgrades, including standard front seat-mounted side airbags, a new advanced weight-sensing passenger-side front airbag and a tire-pressure monitoring system on all trim levels.

The Verona is a standout, combining styling by Italdesign of Turin, Italy, a superior level of standard features and the only standard, six-cylinder engine in its class. The Verona exceeds buyer expectations with style, amenities and sophisticated engineering that competitors don't offer.

Verona's smooth running all-aluminum, 2.5-liter, in-line six-cylinder, 24-valve, DOHC engine features longer-lasting iridium-tipped spark plugs. A tire-pressure monitoring system is now standard, alerting the driver via a warning light in the instrument cluster when tire pressure becomes critically low -- for peace-of-mind on lengthy drives to the local mountains or Las Vegas. A power tilt-and-slide sunroof is now standard on the mid-level Verona LX (it remains standard equipment on the line-topping EX, as well).

With the arrival of a new advanced weight-sensing passenger-side front airbag, along with side airbags for both front-seat passengers, safety features have also been upgraded in the 2005 Verona.

European-styled Forenza Sedan stands up to the competition

The Forenza design takes the classic Suzuki "have it all" approach -- with technology and luxury features you'd expect to find in a far more expensive car. Against rivals like the Civic DX, Corolla CE and Focus LX, the Forenza has the largest standard engine, four-wheel disc brakes, power door locks, heated power side mirrors and steering-wheel-mounted controls -- all standard. Items like the Forenza's in-dash AM/FM CD/cassette audio system with eight speakers, air conditioning with micron air-filtration system and power windows are all included in the Forenza S. No question, it's clear the Forenza is a remarkable value.

For 2005, the Forenza is even more appealing, with the addition of front seat-mounted side airbags and new advanced weight-sensing passenger-side front airbag as standard equipment on all trim levels.

The Forenza is rolling proof that Suzuki truly offers Southern California drivers an appealing way to have the features they want and not pay for any they don't.

Fresh styling and upgrades for Aerio sedan and Aerio SX

The newly-restyled Aerio is a roomy alternative to cars like the standard Corolla, Civic and Matrix. Plus, it has them beat with a larger and more powerful 155 horsepower, 2.3-liter, four-cylinder engine that makes the Aerio the lively performance choice in its class. It's no wonder that Consumer Digest called the 2004 Aerio SX a "Best Buy." And in 2005, the Aerio is even more impressive.

The Aerio is available with front- or traction-enhancing all-wheel drive and in two distinctive body styles -- sedan or SX crossover. The expressive 2005 Aerio has a new front bumper, grille, fog lamps, and rolls on newly designed 15-inch alloy wheels. Sedan models get a sporty new rear trunk spoiler with an integrated center stop lamp.

A reengineered and restyled interior for 2005 brings new luxury to this engaging compact car. New analog instrumentation advances style and readability and the new steering wheel incorporates fingertip audio controls for the brand new audio system. Important equipment upgrades include standard automatic climate control on all Aerio models and power door locks -- even on the base S model. The keyless entry system now includes a "panic" mode that operates the Aerio's horn. With features, performance and style, the Aerio sedan and SX crossover prove that excitement and affordability don't have to be mutually exclusive.

Grand Vitara is the "real deal" SUV

The Suzuki Grand Vitara is one SUV that will take you where you need to go -- from Santa Barbara to Laguna Beach -- without taking you for a ride with excessive size, fuel consumption or price. This practically-sized and fully equipped SUV delivers impressively with a truck-type ladder frame, a standard 2.5-liter V6, 24-valve, DOHC engine and an available dual-range four-wheel-drive system that will take you where many light-duty all-wheel-drive vehicles can't. But don't underestimate the Grand Vitara's impeccable manners in town, due to its upscale cabin and quiet and refined character.

The Grand Vitara has an impressive roster of standard features including power windows, door locks and side mirrors; tilt steering wheel; keyless remote entry; automatic climate control; in-dash CD player with seven speakers including two dash-mounted tweeters and an adjustable power subwoofer; and steering-wheel-mounted audio controls. Possibly the most amazing thing about the Grand Vitara's feature list is that it's quite affordable. Who would imagine that so much comfort, capability and style could be within so many buyers' means?

XL-7 SUV is ready for anything

The Suzuki XL-7 has a rugged body-on-frame design that puts it in an elite group of true off-road-capable machines. This durable engineering, plus a standard high-torque V6 engine, generous ground clearance and available four-wheel-drive system with low-range gearing make the XL-7 ready to challenge the most rugged off-road path. But the XL-7 is just as impressive on the road: It offers available third-row seating for seven, a flexible and cavernous cargo area, top-rated crash protection and luxury amenities rivaling some much more expensive SUVs. This versatile SUV is perfect for a "Palms to Pines" adventure with family or friends.

As Suzuki's popular flagship SUV, the XL-7 features a wide range of standard luxury equipment, including a new tire-pressure monitoring system; 16-inch aluminum alloy wheels; automatic climate control; power windows and heated, power side mirrors; remote keyless entry; air conditioning with micron air-filtration system; seven-speaker audio system including powered subwoofer and cruise control; and more. Consumers Digest called last year's 2004 XL-7 a "Best Buy," and if anything, in 2005, the XL-7 is even more formidable.

America's #1 Warranty

All 2005 Suzuki models are covered by an unmatched warranty. All Suzuki vehicles boast a 100,000-mile, fully transferable, zero-deductible powertrain limited warranty on top of 36,000-mile/3-year new-vehicle limited warranty. The 100,000-mile, fully transferable, zero-deductible powertrain limited warranty covers the engine, transaxle, transmission, front and/or rear drive system and transfer case (when so equipped). The Suzuki powertrain limited warranty is designed to boost resale or trade-in value and underscores the corporation's confidence in its product quality.

Other components of Suzuki's commitment to customer satisfaction include an extensive three-year Roadside Assistance Program and a Warranty Repair Courtesy Vehicle Program. The Roadside Assistance Program covers any new Suzuki vehicle during the 36,000-mile/3-year new-vehicle limited warranty period. Available services include tire changes, jump-starts, lockout service, mechanical first aid and towing to the nearest Suzuki dealer or service center. If a Suzuki dealer has to keep a vehicle overnight for certain repairs during the new-vehicle limited warranty period, the owner will be provided with a free Enterprise rental car for up to five days.

About American Suzuki

The Automotive Operations of American Suzuki Motor Corporation, Brea, Calif., was founded in 1985 by Suzuki Motor Corporation. ASMC markets automobiles in the United States through a network of more than 525 automotive dealerships in 49 states. ASMC's parent company, Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC), based in Hamamatsu, Japan, is a diversified worldwide automobile manufacturer. Founded in 1909 and incorporated in 1920, it has 139 distributors in 125 countries.