Suzuki Suspends WRC Activity
Japanese Maker Quits Its Motorsport Programme
The Japanese maker has seen it sales fall and has decided to take countermeasures to protect its core business of selling road cars. This is an unfortunate twist for the World Rally Championship as the series was to bring in cost reductions in 2010 to help the teams.
Suzuki had competed in the 2008 season with two SX4 WRCs. 2008 hasd been the first time that Suzuki had competed in the premier division of the WRC. Suzuki had an all Scandanavian driving line-up, Finn, Toni Gardemeister and the former Junior World Champion Per-Gunnar Andersson whom hailed from Sweden.
Suzuki Made WRC Debut In 2007
Suzuki made its WRC debut at the 2007 Tour de Corse in France. After one full season finished fifth in the manufacturer’s and now the Japanese outfit has decided to pull out citing economic reasons for its decision.
A spokesman from Suzuki said, “The decision to suspend our WRC activity is in response to the contraction of the automotive sales caused by recent global economic turmoil, Suzuki has been promptly taking possible countermeasures including the reassessment of its global production output.”
Global Economic Downturn
Suzuki claims that the global downturn seems set to continue and the company by pulling out of the WRC is preparing itself for a shrinking car market, which ultimately may lead to less new cars being sold.
The Japanese maker has decided to pull the plug for now on its WRC activity but has not fully shut the door on a return to the sport.
Suzuki To Focus On Core Business
The Suzuki spokesman continued, “To secure our own business environment for tomorrow, the organisation has reviewed every aspect of the operation and decided to focus on the core business functions such as the manufacturing systems, environment technologies, and development of new-generation powertrains. As a result, Suzuki will suspend the WRC activities from 2009.”
Suzuki began in the Junior World Rally Championship (JWRC) in 2002 with the Ignis Super 1600. In 2008 the company moved up into the WRC field.
The Suzuki spokesman concluded, “Suzuki will continue to support customers who are participating in the JWRC, and local motor sport such as the Swift Cup with Swift Super 1600 machines in Europe and the rest of the world.
Suzuki expresses its great appreciation to sponsors and fans around the world for their strong support to its activities. The company will continue to provide valued products for its customers by utilising the experiences earned through the JWRC and WRC activities.
Toni Gardemeister in action for Suzuki
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