AUTUMN 2007 AUTUMN NOW SX4 GOES OFF [ROAD]!

CONGRATULATIONS CAMERON GIRLS’ DAY out EVENT swift tops awards again funky new jimny ltd 2 new dealerships open vitara drive day neaR YOU cover STORY

More than just ‘a pretty face’ Motoring journalists around the country are raving about Suzuki’s newest kid on the block – the SX4.

2 “This is one hell of a good looking experience to the next level. This feature car. It has enough real 4WD cues in the particularly impressed motoring journalist styling to satisfy the macho image, but Rob Maetzig ‘…when road conditions get … combines a look so it is also tight or unsealed, it is a breeze to flick into stylish. On looks alone, this is going to the automatic or locked AWD modes which be another winner for Suzuki. But there make the driving sensation even more is more to the SX4 than a pretty face.” secure. That’s what makes the new SX4 NZ Driver Magazine. something rather special’

Indeed, there is plenty of substance behind Forty-five leading motoring journalists from this very good-looking exterior. around the world also agree that the SX4 is rather special – as they have selected it The SX4 is offered standard with 4WD and as one of the top ten finalists in the 2007 a 2-litre petrol – similar to the of the Year award. It is one of one in the Grand Vitara. There is a choice only two Japanese cars in the top ten – the of 5-speed manual and an other is the Lexus LS 460. Other finalists electronic 4-stage automatic for the 4.14 include the Audi Q7, Audi TT, Jaguar XK, metre long car. Mercedes CL, Mini and Citroen.

The interior dimensions are generous and So the SX4 is keeping very good company there is plenty of leg and shoulder room indeed and is in showrooms now with for both front and rear occupants that prices starting from $24,500. easily accommodates taller people. Access is eased by high ground clearance, large door openings and higher than usual seat positioning – which makes it really easy to get in and out of.

“Unlike vehicles, which are developed from sports utility vehicles and lose some of their off road ability, the SX4 originates from a passenger vehicle platform and gains four-wheel drive traits,” said Tom Peck, General Manager of Marketing at Suzuki. Journalist Dave Moore believes “the new SX4 has a package that *** NEWS FLASH *** most of us can identify with.” He goes on to say “…the new Suzy has the outdoors The new SX4 rally car being developed stamped all over it.” by Nobuhiro (Monster) Tajima for Suzuki’s entry into the World Rally Championships One of the biggest advancements in design is nearing completion. of the SX4 is Suzuki’s newly developed The car’s first WRC round will be the i-AWD system (intelligent All Wheel Rally of France on October 12–14, followed by the Rally of Great Britain in November. Drive). Intelligence is the dominant gene in the SX4 and i-AWD takes the driving

3 swift NEWS Cast and crew filming the new Swift TV ad.

If you haven’t seen the cheeky new TV commercial for the Cheeky new Swift ad... Swift – then look out for it because it’s a cracker. It was made in Auckland in late January and went to air in February. Creative Director Alan Galbraith from Suzuki’s advertising agency Promotus who produced the ad told us, “The actors totally sum up the fun, energy and humour of Swift owners – and really echo the ‘Life is Good’ message.” Galbraith, who also wrote and recorded the catchy soundtrack, reckons he could have sold a new Swift to everyone in the film crew. “They all loved the car and wanted to take it home!” he said. Keep watching for more great ads for Suzuki this year.

Congratulations Cameron winners Top sportsman Cameron Brown has Triathlete since the renowned Erin Baker. He added another title to his already impressive created history by winning the New Zealand list of sporting successes by winning the NZ Ironman a record six times and has also NEWS Ironman in Taupo in March. podium placed in the Hawaii Ironman World He took a break from training for the tough Championships three years in a row, only the German Ironman where he will arrive as second athlete in the world to achieve this feat. defending champion in July, to take delivery of his brand new Grand Vitara. “Without great support from companies like Suzuki I’d never get the top international results that come from being able to dedicate more quality time to training.” Cameron began his Triathlon career in Devonport in 1987 – twenty years later he has gone on to become New Zealand’s greatest Ironman

Girls’ Day Out It was handbags at dawn when it was announced that a Suzuki SX4 was being given away at the recent Girl’s Day Out extravaganza. Over 7,000 people rushed to enter the draw at this popular event in Auckland. The Suzuki stand was a real draw during the three-day show with visitors raving about the great designs and funky shapes of the cars and scooters on display. Michelle Fung, the winner of the SX4 couldn’t believe her luck – in fact she made her boyfriend call up and check that she had actually won, and that it wasn’t an early April Fool’s Day prank. The Suzuki stand at Girls’ Day Out 4 4wd Pete Ritchie (second from the left), running through the ins and NEWS outs at a Grand Vitara Drive Day

Eighth win for Monster Tajima

Nobuhiro (Monster) Tajima and Suzuki Grand Vitara reinforced their reputation as Suzuki Grand Vitara champions of New Zealand’s most famous hill climb motor sport event during the Easter weekend. For the eighth time Tajima dominated 4WD Drive Series the International Silverstone Race to the Sky near Queenstown. Pete Ritchie is a charismatic kiwi bloke who is passionate about teaching safe and sensible 4WD use. Tajima’s powerful Suzuki Grand Vitara special proved “I speak ordinary kiwi language to ordinary kiwi people. too fast for the 118 competitors. The 56-year-old A lot of people don’t know what their 4WD vehicles can Japanese veteran was a clear winner posting a time do – so I explain it in plain English, then take them out of 8 minutes 3.9 seconds for the challenging 15- and show them. They can feel it and they can see it.” kilometre climb on the Waiorau Snow Farm Road. Pete and his partner Deb run the Suzuki Grand Vitara Drive Days to show owners or prospective purchasers just what Monster first won the race in 1998 with a time of the vehicles are capable of. “Many people don’t know what 8 minutes 13.6 seconds, and his 2007 success is ABS or BDC means – but when we take them out and show his fifth successive victory in the event. On each them, then it all comes clear” occasion Tajima has driven a modified Suzuki.

The drive series came about after Pete was asked to train Suzuki vehicle sales staff on what all the different ‘bits’ in the Grand Vitara did. “Once they’d learnt this, they were in a position to talk to prospective customers with conviction from a point of real knowledge. The sales staff realised there was real value in offering this experience to others – which is when the Drive Days started.”

If you’re interested in taking part in the hour and a half course, contact your local Suzuki dealer. Courses are run regularly throughout New Zealand.

Jimny Limited Suzuki have released a new, funky Jimny model with a number of extra features to make this fun-loving favourite even more appealing, including keyless entry, air conditioning, remote locking, electrics, fog lamps and alloy wheels. Prices are $21,500 for manual, and $22,990 for automatic.

5 customer NEWS

The Baker’s half dozen

Martin, Fred, Eliza, Suzy, Mavis and Gertrude all work for the bakery’s logo and famous Smiley Pie – create a real stir as McGregor’s Bakery in Wanaka. Not only are they popular and they buzz around town. Bernie Sugrue from McGregor’s says hard working, they never want a wage increase. The perfect “When I was looking at which vehicles to buy for the bakery employee you might think? Yes, except the stars of this little I was struck by the style of the Swift – they’re a bit cheeky bakery aren’t human, they’re the team of owned by and that really fits with our brand imaging. And the amount of McGregor’s, The five Swifts and APV van - all branded with comment they generate around town is amazing.”

15 vehicles and counting…

Hyspecs (Hydraulic Specialties Ltd) is one of New Zealand’s leading importers of hydraulic components and designers of hydraulic systems. With offices in both the North and South Islands and offering service and support 24 hours a day, seven days a week they need a reliable fleet of vehicles - which is why they chose the Suzuki Grand Vitara.

Their fleet of 15 Vitaras do over half a million kilometres each year – over all sorts of terrain and in all sorts of weather. Marketing and IT Manager Nick Cottier says “Not only are the vehicles reliable and comfortable, but with their Hyspecs graphics and the distinctive shape they have real stand out value - they’re like mobile billboards.”.

6 And the winner is … Suzuki sales The accolades and awards just keep coming for Suzuki’s Swift Sport and new SX4. NEWS

Sales soar Swift Sport & in 2006

SX4 win AA More New Zealanders than ever before are Excellence realising that Suzuki produces good-looking, quality vehicles at Awards excellent prices. And this, combined with the trend Sound engineering and good towards smaller, more fuel-efficient cars resulted value for money were key in Suzuki’s sales in New factors in Suzuki scooping two Zealand hitting an all time At the awards (from left to right) Matt Surgenor, titles at the 2007 Automobile high in 2006 with sales Rebecca Johnson, Simon Maher and Kevin Loft. Association Motoring awards. having increased by 150% since 2003. Stella Stocks, General Manager of AA Technical Services said “The Suzuki SX4 limited Demand for all Suzuki manual gets all the fundamentals right. With a responsive all wheel drive and balanced vehicles has been strong chassis, this vehicle stuffs all-wheel-drive into a generic family package.” with the Swift hatchback selling in record numbers Meanwhile the highly acclaimed Sport 1.6 five-door hatchback was outright to again be the number one winner of the coveted Small Car Class at the AA presentation. selling supermini in New Zealand. “We are delighted both the SX4 and Swift Sport have been honoured at the AA Awards,” said Tom Peck, General Manager of Marketing for Suzuki New Zealand Ltd. “The findings of the judges substantiate what New Zealand buyers are already appreciating.”

Swift Sport – The AMI Autocar Small Car of the Year

For the second year running, the Suzuki Swift has been voted the AMI Autocar Small Car Of The Year. New Zealand’s Autocar magazine felt the high-performance Sport represented the “most new vehicle fun anyone can have for under $25,000.”

“It is the real Mini Cooper of the 21st Century, with attributes more true to the spirit of the original Cooper than BMW’s current version,” said Paul Owen, Chief Editor of Autocar.

7 dealer NEWS New dealers join Suzuki Family

There are now 22 Suzuki vehicle dealerships in New Zealand with the addition of two new dealers – Wagg’s Suzuki in Masterton and Gary Bates Motors in Gisborne.

They are ideally suited to take on the panel repairs, and petrol station, Wagg’s Wagg’s brings Suzuki Suzuki franchise in Masterton due customers don’t have to travel far for to Masterton. to their history within the area - their motoring needs. locals can be assured that they will be Wagg’s suzuki in Masterton selling and servicing Suzukis well into Gary Bates takes on started out over 100 years ago the future. involved in horse drawn carriages, Gisborne franchise. and as transport progressed to With a one-stop dealership that Gary Bates has over 40 years automobiles so did the company. includes sales, service, parts, tyre shop, experience in the automotive industry starting out as a panel beater in Hamilton before moving to Gisborne.

Gary and his team have built a solid reputation in the area for customer service and are well respected around Gisborne for providing customers with the right car to fit their lifestyle.

This fits well with Suzuki’s philosophy and will ensure more customers in the Gisborne area will get the chance to experience the Pat Long and John Whiteman from Wagg’s. Suzuki “Way of Life”. Authorised Suzuki Motor Vehicle Dealers

WHANGAREI ...... Northland Autos, Ph: 0800 438 7043 PALMERSTON NORTH Palmerston North Eurocar, Ph: 06 356 6363 ALBANY ...... Perry’s Lifestyle Albany, Ph: 09 415 8673 MASTERTON ...... Wagg’s Suzuki, Ph: 06 377 5169 HENDERSON ...... Perry’s West Auckland, Ph: 09 836 1169 PARAPARAUMU ...... Guy Weaver’s Auto Village, Ph: 04 298 8089 AUCKLAND ...... Suzuki of Greenlane, Ph: 09 523 4983 LOWER HUTT ...... Williams & Adams, Ph 04 569 1082 HAMILTON ...... Winger Suzuki, Ph: 07 838 1249 WELLINGTON ...... Williams & Adams, Ph: 04 381 1732 TAURANGA ...... Sydenham Motor Group, Ph: 07 578 1378 NELSON ...... Nelson Suzuki, Ph: 03 548 2235 ROTORUA ...... Grant Johnstone Suzuki, Ph: 07 349 2221 BLENHEIM ...... Wadsco Motor World, Ph: 03 578 5199 GISBORNE ...... Gary Bates Motors, Ph: 06 867 7532 CHRISTCHURCH ..... Hollands Suzuki Cars, Ph: 03 366 5261 HASTINGS ...... Hawkes Bay Suzuki, Ph: 06 876 3142 TIMARU ...... Hollands Suzuki Cars, Ph: 03 688 8297 NEW PLYMOUTH ...... Max Pennington’s Autocity, Ph: 06 769 5371 DUNEDIN ...... Southern Motor Court, Ph: 03 455 5500 WANGANUI ...... David Jones Suzuki, Ph: 06 345 5115 INVERCARGILL ...... Southland Motor Group, Ph: 03 214 4059

SUZUKI NEW ZEALAND LIMITED 1 HEADS ROAD, WANGANUI, NEW ZEALAND. WWW.SUZUKI.CO.NZ