After almost a decade of unremitting losses from its motorcycle business, Suzuki has unveiled a return to profitability in half-yearly results to 30 September. BDN financial editor Roger Willis reports.
Revenue attributable to bikes during the period climbed by 28.8% to £822.8m. Global sales volume was 24.6% up at 622,000 units. Sector operating profit was £24.7m, compared with an operating loss of £4.4m in the equivalent six months last year.
In Europe, Suzuki’s turnaround was clearly geared to a more lucrative model mix, headlined by the new GSX-R1000. Although numbers were 8% down to 23,000, revenue from them was 23.1% higher at £159m. North American performance improved from both angles, as volume stacked on 45.5% to 16,000 and revenue rose by 52.9% to £103m.
The really big tickets were to be found in Asia, of course. Total Asian product shipments were 33.5% up to 474,000 units. India played a major role in that, putting on 51.2% to 242,000. The overall associated revenue tally grew by 36.9% to £369m.
See Suzuki’s small-bike range at Expo 2018 (14-16 January, Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire). Entry and parking is free.
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