Representatives from Suzuki and GM Daewoo Auto & Technology (GMDAT) officially certify that the new 2004 Suzuki Verona mid-size sedan has passed the fifth and final stage of its progressive quality assurance process, designed to ensure the new model meets the high quality standards established by Suzuki for the North American market.

Following their successful completion of the quality assurance process at GMDAT headquarters in Incheon, Korea, the first new Verona vehicles began their shipment to the U.S. to arrive in Suzuki showrooms by late August 2004.

"Our standards aim to place Suzuki vehicles among the top three Japanese manufacturers in vehicle quality," explained Rick Suzuki, president of American Suzuki Motor Corp. (ASMC) of Brea, Calif. "The Verona not only meets but exceeds these quality standards."

The first product from Suzuki's investment in GMDAT and the largest car ever sold by Suzuki, the Verona combines Italian styling; a roomy interior; and a standard 2.5-liter, 24-valve DOHC in-line six-cylinder engine with such standard features as fully adaptive automatic transmission, speed-sensitive power steering, air conditioning and four-wheel disc brakes.

ASMC used the occasion of the Verona's first shipment to the U.S. to announce an MSRP starting at just $16,499 - giving the new car a distinct value advantage over the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord.

The 2004 Suzuki Verona is the first of nine new models to be launched by Suzuki as the cornerstone of its plan to triple 2002 U.S. auto sales by 2007.