Suzuki Aerio Adds AAA Auto Guide Award

    BREA, Calif.--Feb. 26, 2003--American Suzuki (ASMC) announces the addition of the AAA (American Automobile Association) Auto Guide Award to its growing list of accolades its Suzuki Aerio has recently received. For the past 11 years, AAA has annually identified vehicles that rank highest in several categories and price ranges, and this year they picked the Suzuki Aerio as their AAA Auto Guide award winner in the under $15,000 category.
    "Since its introduction this time last year, both the Aerio SX and sedan models have redefined what consumers can expect from a small car priced under $15,000. Both offer buyers new levels of power, style, space and features not traditionally found in the small car class," said Rick Suzuki, president of American Suzuki. "We're especially excited about receiving the prestigious AAA Auto Guide award from the association because of their level of automotive expertise and keen insights into what consumers are looking for in their new cars."
    Suzuki has recently earned a number of awards and high safety and environmental ratings for the vehicles in its product line, including Consumers Digest "Best Buy" designations for the Aerio SX and sedan and XL-7 SUV, and the Automotive Market Environmental Superiority (AMES) Award, naming the Suzuki Vitara as one of the most environmentally sensitive models in the compact SUV category for the third consecutive year.
    In addition, Suzuki's Aerio was designated as a "Best Pick" in the competitive small car category as part of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's (IIHS) 40-mph Frontal Offset Crash Test. The Aerio also received the highest overall rating of "Good" in the test. The Aerio SX was also named Edmunds.com's "Most Wanted Wagon Under $15,000" and the XL-7 was this year's winner of Sport Truck Connection's Annual Light Truck And SUV Award (ATLAS) in the Compact SUV category.
    AAA's Auto Guide Awards are featured in the book AAA Auto Guide: 2003 New Cars and Trucks. The book includes reviews of more than 200 vehicles. It retails for $13.95 U.S. and is available at retail book stores and AAA club offices or online at www.aaa.com.

    About American Suzuki

    The Automotive Division of American Suzuki Motor Corporation (ASMC), Brea, Calif., was founded in 1985 by Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC). ASMC markets automobiles in the United States through a network of approximately 440 automotive dealerships in 49 states. SMC, based in Hamamatsu, Japan, is a diversified worldwide automobile manufacturer with 120 distributors in 190 countries.