"We have been selling Suzuki motorcycles and ATVs in the United States since 1963, and our dream has always been to build our products here," Rick Suzuki said. "At Suzuki, one of our core values is a commitment to helping improve the communities where we do business. Our new facility represents a $40 million investment and will employ 150 people in its first year. I hope this demonstrates, beyond any doubt, our long-term commitment to the North American marketplace."

The plant, Suzuki Manufacturing of America Corporation (formerly announced as American Suzuki Motor Manufacturing Corporation), was incorporated in February and is scheduled to begin producing ATVs in the spring of 2002. Production capacity is targeted at 40,000 units per year.

Suzuki Fast Facts:

- The new Rome plant will be Suzuki’s first manufacturing facility in the US. - Suzuki Motor Corporation currently has 60 manufacturing plants in 31 countries, including ATV manufacturing facilities in Korea and Taiwan. - Suzuki made the decision to have its own manufacturing plant in the US based on its strong commitment to the North American market and its aggressive support of the growth trend in the US ATV business. - The Rome plant also will produce ATVs for export to Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Europe.

Facility Outline: Company Name: American Suzuki Motor Manufacturing Corp. Location: Rome, GA Capital Investment: Approximately $40,000,000 US Land: 35 acres Building: 100,000 sq.ft. Ownership: 80% American Suzuki Motor Corporation 20% Suzuki Motor Corporation Employees: Approximately 150 in the first year Annual Production: 40,000 units per shift Start of Production: Spring, 2002

American Suzuki will introduce three new ATV models in the US (not all to be produced at the Rome facility) in the first half of 2001: the LT-A50, the LT-A400F and the LT-A400, as well as another four new models later in the year.

The motorcycle and ATV division of American Suzuki Motor Corporation (ASMC) was founded by Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC) in 1963. Headquartered in Brea, CA, ASMC markets motorcycles and ATVs in the US through a network of 1001 dealerships in 49 states.

American Suzuki Motor Corporation recently announced its sponsorship of the AMA 750 Supersport Championship Series for 2001. The two-year deal is called the "Suzuki Genuine Accessories 750 Supersport Series," and kicked off at the opening round of the 2001 AMA Chevy Trucks US Superbike Championship Series on March 7-11 at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, FL. A $35,000 series championship bonus is combined with Suzuki’s popular road racing contingency program for the 2001 AMA Pro Racing season.

ASMC's parent company, Suzuki Motor Corporation, is a diversified worldwide manufacturer, selling a variety of products (automobiles, motorcycles, ATVs, outboard motors and others) in 191 countries. Founded in 1909 and incorporated in 1920, it is based in Hamamatsu, Japan and has 120 distributors in 175 countries.