Hamamatsu, Japan – Suzuki Motor Corporation has decided to suspend its FIA World Rally Championship activities in 2009, citing concerns over the global economy. The company entered two SX4 WRCs in the 2008 season.
In a statement, Suzuki said that it has taken several measures in response to the reduction in auto sales, including the reassessment of its global production output, and sees it as a long-term rather than short-term phenomenon. It has decided to focus core business functions such as manufacturing, environmental technologies and development of new powertrains, which led to the decision to suspend its rally activities.
Suzuki first participated in the Junior World Rally Championship (JWRC) in 2002 and moved up into the WRC field in 2008. The company said it will continue to support customers who are participating in the JWRC, and local motorsport such as the Swift Cup in Europe and the rest of the world.
