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Suzuki put brakes on WRC after just one season
publication date: Dec 16, 2008
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author/source: Robin Roberts
 | | | Just a year after it fully committed to the WRC, Suzuki Motor Corporation has decided to pull out in the face of the worsening automotive market.
The company made the 2008 season entry with two SX4 WRCs and its top driver finished 12th.
In a statement, Suzuki said, “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.
“The company, however, foresees the shrinking trend in long-term periods of time rather than a short-term phenomenon. To secure its 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 started to participate in the Junior World Rally Championship (JWRC) in 2002 with the Ignis Super 1600 and in its history achieved driver’s victories twice. In 2008 the company moved up into the WRC field.
The entry to JWRC and WRC brought a great deal of positive effects on the product development and marketing activities, nurturing the sporty automotive brand image, especially in Europe.
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.
There is speculation that another major manufacturer in WRC will also withdraw and that will put the whole series on a weaker footing with far fewer makers taking part but facing heavy costs. Honda has pulled out of F1 and is looking for buyers to support the 800 strong racing team it employed, mostly in the UK.
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