American Suzuki Outpaces Industry, Posting a 26 Percent Year-End Gain

BREA, Calif.--Jan. 5, 2005--American Suzuki Motor Corp. (ASMC) enjoyed the largest 2004 sales increase of any non-luxury brand in the United States, excluding new entrants, posting a 26 percent increase in year-to-date sales and a 12 percent increase in December 2004 sales compared to the same month last year. Leading the way for the Suzuki model line were the Forenza models, posting sales of 1,888 units this month for a total of 24,796 units in 2004, as well as the XL-7 SUV, posting sales of 1,232 units this month for a total of 18,501 units in 2004.

Fueling Suzuki's record sales success is the rapidly expanding product line featuring the addition of two new vehicles to the 2005 family: the five-door compact Suzuki Reno and versatile Forenza Wagon, both in showrooms now. These products, combined with the growing network of more than 540 U.S. dealers and America's No. 1 Warranty -- Suzuki's industry-leading, 100,000-mile, fully transferable, zero-deductible powertrain limited warranty -- continue to strengthen the Suzuki brand.

The Automotive Operations of American Suzuki Motor Corp., Brea, was founded in 1985 by Suzuki Motor Corp. ASMC markets automobiles in the United States through a network of more than 540 automotive dealerships in 49 states. ASMC's parent company, Suzuki Motor Corp. (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.

                   AMERICAN SUZUKI MOTOR CORP.
                      MONTH-END REPORTING

                       December                   CYTD
                  2004    2003  DSR %      2004    2003  DSR %
                                Change                   Change
VITARA:            186     360     -50%   3,476   5,391     -36%
GRAND VITARA:      448     399       8%   4,860   7,945     -39%
XL-7:            1,232   1,375     -14%  18,501  22,560     -18%
AERIO:             557   1,192     -55%   9,438  19,823     -53%
FORENZA(a):      1,888     578     215%  24,796     633    3805%
VERONA:            910     584      50%  12,874   1,967     552%
TOTAL:           5,221   4,489      12%  73,946  58,438      26%

TRUCK
DOMESTIC TRUCK:    186     360     -50%   3,476   5,392     -36%
IMPORT TRUCK:    1,680   1,774      -9%  23,361  30,505     -24%
TOTAL TRUCK:     1,866   2,134     -16%  26,837  35,897     -25%

CAR
DOMESTIC CAR:        0       0       NA       1       5     -80%
IMPORT CAR:      3,355   2,355      37%  47,108  22,536     108%
TOTAL CAR:       3,355   2,355      37%  47,109  22,541     108%

TOTAL DOMESTIC:    186     360     -50%   3,477   5,397     -36%
TOTAL IMPORT:    5,035   4,129      17%  70,469  53,041      32%
GRAND TOTAL      5,221   4,489      12%  73,946  58,438      26%

Selling Days:       27      26              308     307

(a) Please note: Forenza Wagon and Reno sales are included in the
    Forenza sales.