Recession in Japan Leads Suzuki Pull Out of World Rally Championship – Commitment to Environmentally Friendly Cars
Suzuki Motor Corp. says it will stop competing in World Rally Championship racing as of 2009.
Recession in Japan is blamed and Suzuki is unable to bear the cost burden. Suzuki has only been involved fully in the prestigious series for one year.
Suzuki’s move follows Honda Motor Co.’s decision to withdraw from Formula One in Japan – Great Pic.
Subaru is also thinking about pulling out of the WRC says its owner Fuji Heavy.
Suzuki competed in the Junior World Rally Championship for six years before making the jump to boost sales in Europe. Rally is a popular motor sport in Europe.
Suzuki joined the WRC this year to raise its name recognition.
The yearly cost to be in WRC racing is around Y5 billion yen. ($55 million).
F1 is 10 times that.
Suzuki says it will spend more on technologies for environmentally friendly cars.
Talk about priorities, eh?
Suzuki has it right for the long haul.
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