CHICAGO – American Suzuki Motor Corp. debuted its all-new 2009 Equator mid-size pickup truck at this year’s Chicago Auto Show to bolster its versatile and dynamic product line, enhance the company’s bold and adventurous brand identity, and further expand the growing line of products marketed by approximately 500 Suzuki dealers nationwide. The introduction of the Equator marks Suzuki’s first entry into the mid-size pickup truck market and expands the company’s offering of activity-oriented cars and trucks.

The Equator offers the perfect blend of style, utility, and off-road capability that truck buyers demand and enjoy. Developed as a joint effort with Nissan North America, Inc., and based on the Nissan Frontier, the 2009 Equator will be available in both Extended Cab and Crew Cab body styles and rear-wheel and four-wheel-drive configurations. The all-new 2009 Suzuki Equator pickup truck is scheduled to go on sale in the United States in the fourth quarter of 2008. Pricing has not yet been announced.

"Since Suzuki has continued to strengthen its brand equity among outdoor enthusiasts, we thought now was the right time to produce a vehicle that meets the additional needs many of these people have," said Mark Harano, president American Suzuki Automotive Operations. "Truck buyers are a particularly good fit for Suzuki since they’re likely to participate in motorcycle riding, power boating and other lifestyle-oriented activities that fit with our brand identity and our product portfolio. The Equator provides Suzuki with an opportunity to build an authentic connection with a group of consumers who are familiar with our brand and, in many circumstances, own other Suzuki products."

To introduce the Equator, Suzuki unveiled three separate representations of the truck during its Chicago Auto Show press conference. The three concepts, coined the RMZ-4 for off-road enthusiasts, Quad for outdoor adventurers, and Quay for boating and watersports aficionados, showcase Suzuki’s diverse brand spirit, while illustrating the capability and flexibility of the all-new Suzuki Equator.