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Suzuki quits rally world championship over recession

Business Materials 15 December 2008 14:01 (UTC +04:00)

Suzuki Motor Corporation has withdrawn from the rally world championship as a result of the world economic crisis, the Japanese company announced on Monday.

The move comes 10 days after another Japanese carmaker, Honda, quit Formula One racing for the same reason, reported dpa.

"In responding to the contraction of the automotive sales caused by recent global economic turmoil, Suzuki has been promptly taking possible countermeasures."

Suzuki said it has decided to "focus on the core business functions" and as a result "concluded to suspend the WRC activities from 2009."

Suzuki quits the rally world championship after just one year. It had two cars in the event and finished fifth of six teams with drivers Per-Gunnar Andersson and Toni Gardemeister.

The company said it will continue in other motorsport events such as the junior world championship it has been engaged in since 2002.

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