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August 09, 2006

This Week:

• Nissan Gets Animated: Two concept cars to feature in "Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex"

• Chrysler Group's Newark Assembly Plant Launches Production of the All-New 2007 Chrysler Aspen

• 2007 Ford F-150: New Models, Lower Prices, A Longer Warrenty

• Audi top for customer satisfaction in China

• Magna acquires Porsche's North American Engineering Services Unit

• Toyota Announces First Quarter Operating Results

• BMW Group sales grow by 5.7% in the first seven months of 2006

• All-New 2007 Chevrolet Silverado: A New Generation Of The Industry's Most Dependable Pickup Truck

• Porsche hits its targets with new record in North America

• Worldwide Sales of Mercedes Car Group Up by Two Percent in July 2006

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Operating income from Japanese operations increased by 104.6 billion yen from the same period last year, to 293.0 billion yen, due mainly to higher Japanese production volume in response to strong overseas demand.

Sales in North America reached 747 thousand units, an increase of 106 thousand units due to the strong popularity of such models as the redesigned RAV4 and the new Yaris and FJ Cruiser. In North America, operating income increased by 2.3 billion yen, to 140.1 billion yen, as a result of strong sales of these and other models, which offset start-up costs at the Texas plant which is scheduled to open in the near future.

In Europe, despite weak market conditions, unit sales increased by 52 thousand units to 308 thousand vehicles. Operating income from European operations increased by 19.8 billion yen, to 36.5 billion yen, as a result of strong sales primarily of remodeled vehicles, such as the Yaris, RAV4 and Lexus IS. Profits in Europe have been improving steadily.

Sales in Asia decreased by 36 thousand units to 193 thousand units, mainly due to sales decreases in Indonesia and Taiwan. Operating income from Asian operations decreased by 9.8 billion yen, to 30.0 billion yen, as a result of decreases in both production volume and vehicle units sold. Exports of IMV vehicles from Asia, which began last year, have been progressing well.

In other regions including Africa, Oceania and South and Central America, sales increased to 300 thousand vehicles, an increase of 28 thousand units. Operating income in these regions decreased by 1.1 billion yen, to 15.9 billion yen.

TMC estimates that the projected consolidated vehicle sales for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2007 will be 8.45 million units, which is unchanged from TMC's initial projections announced in May 2006. Consolidated revenues and earnings projections for the fiscal year also remain unchanged, with consolidated net revenues of 22.3 trillion yen, operating income of 1.90 trillion yen and net income of 1.31 trillion yen.

Commenting on the outlook for consolidated profit for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2007, Suzuki said, "We are currently on track overall for the annual plan so far, with the exception of foreign exchange rates assumptions. Despite fluctuations in raw material prices, we aim for the outcome of each activity that we planned at the beginning of this fiscal year."

(August 4, 2006)