According to Suzuki Motor Corporation’s half-yearly financial results to 30 September, its motorcycle operations are now heading back towards profitability after several years of sustained losses.
Thanks to improving sales in Europe and North America, revenue from bikes during this six-month period grew by 22.9 per cent to £881.2m. This delivered an operating loss of just £6.1m, against a loss of £37.3m in the first half of its previous financial year. However, the company’s results presentation pointed out that it actually recorded an operating profit of £11m in the second July-September quarter, negating much of a first-quarter loss.
Boosted by increased car sales in the Japanese domestic market, as well as India, Indonesia and Thailand, overall revenue was up by 11.7 per cent to £8.71bn. Operating profit rose by 36.5 per cent to £574.2m. Net profit climbed by 23.3 per cent to £328.4m.
For its full financial year to 31 March 2014, Suzuki is forecasting a total revenue increase of 8.6 per cent to £17.8bn. Operating profit should be up by 17.6 per cent at £1.08bn and net profit is expected to rise by 24.4 per cent to £635.9m.
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