Suzuki 2012 Annual Report Download - page 18

16 SUZUKI MOTOR CORPORATION
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
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Suzuki took a step toward commercial development and produc-
tion of fuel-cell motorcycles and automobiles by establishing a joint-
venture company with Intelligent Energy Holdings, the parent of the
British company Intelligent Energy, which develops fuel-cell systems.
The new company is called SMILE FC System Corporation. By combin-
ing Intelligent Energy’s expertise in developing fuel cells with Suzuki’s
expertise in control technologies and volume production, SMILE FC
System Corporation is accelerating the commercialization of fuel-cell
motorcycles and automobiles.
The Burgman Fuel Cell Scooter was the world’s rst fuel-cell vehicle to earn
Whole Vehicle Type Approval in the European Union.
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The MR Wagon is a mini passenger car with distinctive styling, a roomy
cabin, and contemporary design features such as a touch panel audio
system. Suzuki equipped the MR Wagon with fuel-saving technolo-
gies from the Alto Eco to create the MR Wagon Eco. Fuel economy of
27.2km/L in the JC08 test cycle makes the MR Wagon Eco the most
fuel-ecient mini wagon* in Japan.
The MR Wagon is powered by the new-generation R06A engine, which
embodies advances in fuel economy, performance, and quietness and
is mated to a continuously variable transmission (CVT) with an auxil-
iary gearbox. The engine and CVT combine with a light body to realize
brisk performance together with great fuel economy.
* Based on Suzuki research in February 2012 on two-box mini passenger cars
with overall heights of 1,550mm or more.
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Maruti Suzuki India achieved cumulative domestic sales of 10 million
units. The company began production in December 1983 with the
Maruti 800 (known as the Alto in Japan) and expanded its oerings
and sales with models including the Omni (known as the Every in Ja-
pan), Wagon R, and Swift. Maruti Suzuki India has driven the growth of
the Indian automobile market and has itself grown in the process. The
company continues to develop products that appeal to Indian cus-
tomers and to contribute to development of the market.
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
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Suzuki’s Thai subsidiary, Suzuki Motor (Thailand), launched the new
Swift compact car, which meets the requirements of the Thai govern-
ment’s eco-car project. The company produces the new Swift at a
new plant in Rayong Province for sale in Thailand and for export to
neighbouring ASEAN countries.
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For the second year running, Suzuki began supporting test-ride and
display events at Suzuki Bike Shops* around Japan using the Suzuki
Kizuna Carry Caravan—a Carry mini truck with its load bed turned into
an event stage. As part of this initiative, Suzuki sta went to Iwate, Mi-
yagi, Fukushima, and Ibaraki prefectures, which had been hit hard by
the Great East Japan Earthquake and subsequent tsunami. They visited
temporary housing and local-government facilities and oered free
safety checks on local people’s scooters and on scooters that Suzuki
had donated to local governments in disaster areas.
* Suzuki Bike Shops are dealers that oer high-quality service for Suzuki prod-
ucts and are approved by Suzuki as providers of all-round support to owners.
Suzuki Kizuna Carry Caravan in Ishinomaki City, Miyagi Prefecture (March 2012)