Brea, Calif. -- American Suzuki Motor Corporation in Brea, California and Suzuki Motor Corporation in Hamamatsu, Japan announce their plan to build an ATV manufacturing plant in Rome, Georgia. The new plant will be Suzuki's first manufacturing facility in the U.S. Suzuki will incorporate the business in Georgia this month and begin construction of the manufacturing facility in January 2001. The plant is expected to start producing ATVs in the spring of 2002.

Suzuki Motor Corporation currently has 60 manufacturing plants in 31 countries, including three ATV manufacturing facilities in the Japan, Korea and Taiwan.

Suzuki made the decision to have its own manufacturing plant in the U.S. based on its strong commitment towards the North American market and its aggressive support of the growth trend in the U.S. ATV business.

The new manufacturing facility is only one example of this strong commitment. In addition, Suzuki will introduce three new ATV models in the U.S. in the first half of 2001: the LT-A50, the LT-A400F and the LT-A400 and another four new models later in the year.

ATVs will also be produced for export to Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Europe.

Facility Outline:

• Company Name: American Suzuki Motor Manufacturing Corp.
• Location: Rome, Georgia, United States
• Capital Investment: Approximately $30,000,000 US
• Land: 35 acres
• Building: 100,000 sq. ft
• Ownership:
  80% American Suzuki Motor Corporation
  20% Suzuki Motor Corporation
• Employees: Approximately 150 in the first year
• Annual Production: 40,000 units per shift
• Start of Production: Spring of 2002

The motorcycle and ATV division of American Suzuki Motor Corporation (ASMC) was founded in 1963 by Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC). ASMC markets motorcycles and ATVs in the United States through a network of 989 dealerships in 49 states.