BREA, Calif., Jan. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- American Suzuki Motor Corporation (ASMC) kicks off the new year by arriving at the 2006 Greater Los Angeles Auto Show with a record-setting sales increase in 2005 from the previous year. Selling the most vehicles in its history and two new product introductions set for 2006, customer and dealer excitement for the brand are at all-time highs.

Show goers will be the first in the United States to see the Suzuki P.X., a minivan concept vehicle recently unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show and designed for those who desire family mobility yet still want to indulge in automotive luxury and style.

Southern California auto enthusiasts also will be treated to an early look at Suzuki's comprehensive 2006 vehicle line, including the all-new, media-lauded Grand Vitara, which recently rolled into dealerships and offers innovative design, technology and numerous safety features. The new Grand Vitara delivers the capabilities buyers expect from compact SUVs both on-road and off-road. The 2006 Grand Vitara joins a diverse product line that now features a total of eight different body styles -- six cars and two SUVs. The entire vehicle line exceeds consumer expectations with stand-out virtues for toughness, leading-edge style and high-end features at prices well below the competition.

In addition to the Suzuki P.X. concept and Suzuki's full-line of vehicles on display at the show, Suzuki showcases one of its "Suzuki LIVE Series" vehicles. With the moniker "Blizzard," the eye-catching vehicle embodies Suzuki's new "Way of Life" brand campaign -- products designed for life enthusiasts.

"With the all-new Grand Vitara now in showrooms, Suzuki expects to draw even more first-time Suzuki customers into dealerships, further increasing the company's growth in the U.S. market," said Koichi Suzuki, president of ASMC Automotive Operations. "With innovative new models and the commitment of America's #1 Warranty, American Suzuki rolls into the Los Angeles Auto Show poised for an impressive 2006 campaign."

All 2006 Suzuki vehicles come in one highly equipped trim level, offering significant features and amenities for the money. Rather than selecting between the traditional base, mid- and high-end trim levels, buyers now have the option of selecting from various option packages to fit their needs. All Suzuki vehicles come with America's #1 Warranty, the industry-leading 100,000-mile, seven-year, fully transferable, zero-deductible powertrain limited warranty.

The Suzuki P.X. is a spacious minivan concept that promises to provide an enjoyable driving experience with family or friends. The Suzuki P.X. has a distinctive exterior with an aerodynamic front face and round body shape with 20-inch, six-spoke, aluminum alloy wheels, a long wheelbase with three doors on each side. The interior features a luxurious cabin and unique seat layout, which focuses on first and third row seat usage. The luxurious and stylish Suzuki P.X. is designed for those who want to indulge their sense of enjoyment without compromising functionality and utility.

To explore the viability of alternative accessory packages for consumers, Suzuki has developed four "Suzuki LIVE Series" vehicles to illustrate how its products play an integral part of consumers' lifestyles. The vehicles coined "Blizzard," for snow sport enthusiasts; "Sea," for active surfers; "Dune," for off-road experts; and "Wave" for lake sports aficionados; will all be on display at various auto shows and events around the country over the next six months. The "Blizzard will be on display at the Greater Los Angeles Auto Show.

The "Blizzard" Grand Vitara is designed to fulfill the needs of people with active lifestyles focused on snow sports. Some of the "Blizzard" Grand Vitara features include:

• 2.7-liter turbo charged Suzuki engine
• Custom rack system with backlit board mounts
• Roof rack camera for snow equipment
• Studded snow tires (on vehicle and spare)
• Lot lift (rear gate, chair lift style seat for taking gear on and off)
• Built-in glove and boot warmers
• Internet access to check snow conditions
• Interior color/materials scheme from snowboard equipment
• Ventilated wet gear storage (located in back cargo area)
• Dockable iPod(TM) station in rear area
• In-car video and gaming system

The unique frame design of the 2006 Grand Vitara combines the refined road manners of a car-based unibody SUV with the off-road strength of a body-on-frame design. The available shift-on-the-fly four-mode four-wheel-drive system and tough unibody construction, enhanced with a built-in ladder frame, deliver off-road capability while the fully independent suspension provides quiet comfort and control on roads and trails. The standard 185-horsepower, 2.7-liter, six-cylinder, 24-valve DOHC engine offers plenty of power for driving excitement.

The five-passenger Grand Vitara comes in one trim level with three available equipment packages. The standard five-speed manual transmission and two-wheel drive starts at an MSRP of $19,199. The extensive list of standard equipment includes Electronic Stability Program (ESP(R))(1) (including traction control), anti-lock brake system (ABS) with electronic brake-force distribution (EBD), six airbags (including front and rear side-curtain airbags), power amenities and remote keyless entry.

Three optional packages (Premium, XSport and Luxury) heap on extensive upgrades, ultimately topping out at $24,599 for a Grand Vitara with Luxury Package and full-time four-mode four-wheel drive. There are two four-wheel-drive options available: full-time single-mode four-wheel drive and full-time four-mode four-wheel drive. A five-speed automatic transmission is optional.

For 2006, the Suzuki XL-7, one of America's most affordable seven-passenger SUVs, adds standard ABS and a new radio unit with MP3/WMA capabilities that is XM Satellite Radio-ready.

Pricing begins at an MSRP of $21,999, which includes a powerful 2.7-liter, six-cylinder, 24-valve DOHC engine and a five-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission. Alloy wheels, tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) and power amenities also are included. The optional Premium Package adds leather seating for seven, a six-disc in-dash AM/FM/CD/MP3/WMA/XM Satellite Radio-ready audio system with seven speakers including a subwoofer, power sunroof, fog lights and running boards at an MSRP of $26,699.

The fun-to-drive Aerio comes standard with a sporty 2.3-liter, four-cylinder, 16-valve DOHC engine with 155 horsepower and 152 lb.-ft. of torque -- and adds more value in 2006 with the addition of a new AM/FM/CD/MP3 audio system and greater standard feature content, making the Aerio an even smarter buy.

Aerio buyers can choose between a sedan and a five-door sport-crossover (SX) body style; both now come in just one trim level with either front-wheel drive, from a starting MSRP of $14,099 (sedan), or America's most affordable full-time all-wheel-drive (AWD) system, for an MSRP of $15,999 (sedan with automatic transmission).

Both models offer comfortable seating for five passengers, and the five-door SX adds even greater loading flexibility and more cargo space. For an affordable price, both Aerio body styles come standard with air conditioning with automatic climate control, digital clock with outside temperature gauge, power door locks and a remote keyless entry system. The Premium Package includes an upgrade to a six-disc in-dash AM/FM/CD/MP3 audio system with seven speakers.

Reno Five-door Gains Value and Upgrades

With its sculpted European styling and lively 2.0-liter, four-cylinder, 16-valve DOHC engine, the Reno is an attractive alternative to compact competitors. New in the 2005 model year, the five-door Reno returns in 2006 with a simplified model strategy, new features and a lower price. The 2006 Reno's MSRP starts at $13,299; Convenience and Premium Packages also are available, versus the previous S, LX and EX model designations used in 2005. Prices start at $14,249 for the Convenience Package and $15,399 for the Premium Package.

The Forenza Sedan and Forenza Wagon Have the Features Buyers Want The Forenza sedan and Forenza Wagon feature Pininfarina styling, high standard feature content, powerful engines and backing by America's #1 Warranty. For 2006, both Forenza models have a fresh front fascia design that incorporates a new Suzuki "family" grille.

Feature content and value are at the core of the Forenza sedan and Wagon, which now come in one well-equipped model with one available upgrade package. Prices begin at $13,799 for the Forenza sedan and $14,499 for the Forenza Wagon.

Verona Offers High-end Amenities and the Greatest Luxury of All -- Affordability

For those seeking unexpected value, Suzuki offers its flagship Verona sedan. Popular mid-size sedans are typically affordable only when equipped with standard four-cylinder engines and minimal features. The Suzuki Verona breaks mid-size sedan conventionality by delivering more. Styled in Europe and loaded with more features and interior room than one would expect in the class, Verona provides an affordable alternative for people who are unwilling to compromise.

The Verona offers a long list of standard features including: a smooth 2.5-liter, in-line six-cylinder, 24-valve DOHC engine; AM/FM/CD/cassette audio system with six speakers; ABS with EBD; driver and front passenger seat-mounted side-impact airbags and more. With the benefit of America's #1 Warranty, the Verona enjoys significant advantages over its competition -- all for a starting MSRP of $18,299. The Premium Package is available and includes alloy wheels, power tilt-and-slide sunroof, air conditioning with automatic climate control and micron air-filtration system and leather upholstery.

About American Suzuki

The Automotive Operations of American Suzuki Motor Corporation (ASMC), Brea, Calif., was founded in 1985 by Suzuki Motor Corporation. ASMC markets its vehicles in the United States through a network of more than 540 automotive dealerships in 49 states. ASMC's parent company, Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC), based in Hamamatsu, Japan, is a diversified worldwide automobile, motorcycle and outboard motors manufacturer with sales of more than 2 million new vehicles annually. Founded in 1909 and incorporated in 1920, it has operations in 125 countries.