Alliance Answers

ALLIANCE ANSWERS

GREEN DR-ZS? YELLOW KLXs? What’s the brandloyal bike-buyer to do? Not to worry, say Kawasaki and Suzuki, the alliance announced last year between the Japanese motorcycle manufacturers will benefit both companies, their dealers and consumers. “Suzuki will have more models for all types and skill levels of customers, making Suzuki dealers a one-stop shopping center,” explained a spokesman. Admittedly, there are still a few bugs. “We’re still trying to find our way,” added a Kawasaki VR “Everything is still under construction.” Both report there are no plans for a merger or introduction of a third brand.

That’s good news, particularly for Kawasaki. Industry insiders figured the alliance would be the end for Kawasaki Heavy Industries’ Consumer Products and Machinery division, which makes motorcy-

cles and ATVs, among other products. Not so. In fact, Kawasaki Motors Corp., one of 10 KHI subsidiaries in the U.S., is expanding its corporate offices and R&D facilities. And, as of April, year-to-date sales were up 30.5 percent. Let the good times roll!

Besides sharing vendors and development on certain models (the alliance doesn’t include sportbikes, personal watercraft or utility vehicles), both companies will rebadge existing models. For 2003, most of these are entry-level off-roaders-a leading market segment. For example, Kawasaki will now sell the two-stroke KDX50 and four-stroke KLX125, KLX125L, KLX400R and

KLX400SR, otherwise known as the Suzuki JR50, DR-Z125, DR-Z125L, DR-Z400E and

DR-Z400S. Suzuki, meanwhile, gets four Kawasaki minis, the two-stroke KX60, KX65 and KX100, and four-stroke KLX110. These will be known as the RM60, RM65, RM 100 and DRZ110. Aside from the color of the plastic, the shared models are identical, though suggested retail prices will be set independently.

In the future, look for more “substantive” changes.

—.Matthew Miles