Here is Suzuki’s statement about its agreed cooperation with Kawasaki in the motorcycle business. Note that sport bikes, machines that bear a strong and distinct personality for both companies, are not yet on the list of models which will be jointly developed.
Suzuki Motor Corporation and Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. today announced an agreement to form a strategic business relationship in the areas of product development, design, engineering, manufacturing of motorcycle and ATV products and purchasing components.
Based in the spirit of reciprocity, equality, and combining resources, the agreement is designed to make Suzuki’s and Kawasaki’s motorcycle business more profitable despite increasing globalization and intensifying competition.
Both companies will collaborate in the area of product development, OEM supply of the product, commonizing parts and components, and joint purchasing and manufacturing, so that the competitiveness and profitability of their motorcycle business can be improved. The first step will be to combine resources and create immediate synergy with the cruiser, scooter, motocross and ATV lines. Suzuki and Kawasaki will preserve autonomy in the area of marketing and sales, with each company using its own brand and sales network as before.
Both companies expect that this arrangement will help them respond to the variety of customer needs and to contribute to the healthy growth of the industry.
