Results for the nine months of Suzuki Motor Corporation’s financial year to 31 December 2012 reveal declining sales and accelerating losses for its motorcycle and ATV operations. Global revenue from the sector decreased by 13.5 per cent to £1.1bn. The associated operating loss grew to £68m, against a loss of £19m in the equivalent period of Suzuki’s previous financial year.
Total bike sales volume deteriorated by 1.6 per cent to 1.015 million units with declines in every key market. Europe suffered most dramatically, as volume dropped by 32.6 per cent to 29,000 units and related revenue share shrank by 33.7 per cent to £141.8m. North America was down by 5.9 per cent at 32,000 units. Asia posted a marginal 0.7 per cent reduction to 825,000 units. Japanese domestic sales fell by 3.7 per cent to 52,000 units.
However, the company as a whole performed much better, thanks to muscular automotive growth — especially driven by improving car sales in India, Indonesia, Thailand and Japan. Overall revenue was up by 1.4 per cent to £12.35bn. Operating profit grew by 5.9 per cent to £629.4m and net profit climbed by 19.2 per cent to £328.2m.
For the full year to 31 March 2013, Suzuki is forecasting revenue increasing by 3.5 per cent to £17.62bn, operating profit rising by nine per cent to £881m and net profit up by 29.9 per cent to £474.4m.
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