American Suzuki Motor Corp. Announces Pricing on 1999 Model Year Esteem Line; Enhancements to the Popular Esteem Model Line Provide Added Value.

BREA, Calif.--(AutomotiveWire)--Aug. 25, 1998--American Suzuki Motor Corp. (ASMC) Tuesday announced the Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) on the 1999 model year Esteem line-up.

With a unique, new front end and several new equipment enhancements, the 1999 Esteem Wagon and Sedan models boast even more outstanding value. In keeping with the company's strategic direction, the Esteem models will receive a larger 1.8-liter engine in March 1999.

Esteem Wagon and Sedan

The Esteem Wagon and Sedan receive a redesigned front end that features a contemporary, clean look with rounded, smooth curves; a larger, sophisticated chrome grille; and new multi-reflector halogen headlights. The base GL models receive larger, 14-inch wheels and tires previously only available on GLX models. Interior upgrades include new, high-quality interior fabric and Clarion AM/FM Cassette Stereo. Five new paint colors are available for the 1999 model year -- Polar White, Silky Silver, Grove Green, Midnight Black and Sky Blue.

The wagon and sedan are available in three trim levels: the base GL, GLX and top-of-the-line GLX+. The MSRP for the GL sedan starts at $12,199 with manual transmission while the GL wagon starts at $12,699 with manual transmission.

The manual transmission GLX sedan has an MSRP of $13,299 and the GLX wagon is priced at $13,799 for the manual transmission. The GLX+ sedan and wagon are only available with automatic transmissions -- the sedan is priced at $15,099 and the wagon $15,799.

Automatic transmission is available for the GL and GLX on both the wagon and the sedan for $1,000. The two-tone paint option on the GLX+ wagon is $200. Destination and delivery charge for the Esteem models is $430 (except in Alaska, $700) not including license and state or local taxes.

The Automotive Division of American Suzuki Motor Corp. (ASMC), Brea, was founded in 1985 by Suzuki Motor Corp. (SMC). ASMC markets automobiles in the United States through a network of 300 automotive dealerships in 49 states.

ASMC's parent company, Suzuki Motor Corp., based in Hamamatsu, Japan, is a diversified worldwide automobile manufacturer. Founded in 1920, SMC has 134 distributors in 175 countries.

                         ESTEEM WAGON
         1999 MY MANUFACTURER'S SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICE
                 (Current as of July 20, 1998)

                         Model Description       1999 MY MSRP

Esteem Sedan               GL   MT                  $12,199
                           GL   AT                  $13,199
                           GLX  MT                  $13,299
                           GLX  AT                  $14,299
                           GLX+ AT                  $15,099

Esteem Wagon               GL   5MT                 $12,699
                           GL   4AT                 $13,699
                           GLX  5MT                 $13,799
                           GLX  4AT                 $14,799
                           GLX+ 5AT                 $15,799
                           w/two-tone paint         $15,999

CONTACT: American Suzuki Motor Corp., Brea

Shari Gold, 714/996-7040