Suzuki targets 36% sales increase in China for 2008

Shanghai, April 21 (Gasgoo.com) Suzuki Motor Corp is expecting a 36 percent sales increase to 220,000 cars in China this year, Tadashi Kondo, vice chairman and president of Chongqing Changan Suzuki Automobile Co., told Automotive News on Sunday at the Beijing motor show.

The goal compares with just a 1 percent increase to 161,066 domestically made cars last year. "The 2008 target will be achieved mainly by the streamlining of our sales networks in China," Kondo added. 

Kondo said Suzuki will cut around 60 underperforming dealers from its network of 300 in China this year and will bring in new dealers to boost the overall number back up to 300.

During the show on Sunday Suzuki also debuted its production-ready Kizashi 2 concept in China.

The two-seater is reported to be powered by a DOHC 3.6-liter V6 mated to a six-speed automatic gearbox, with provisions for a hybrid powertrain.

Kizashi 2 will start volume production by 2010 and then go on sale in all countries worldwide.

 Suzuki unveiled Kizashi 2 concept at Beijing auto show