Suzuki Motor Corp. said Wednesday its group net profit rose 2 percent in fiscal 2003 to a record 43.8 billion yen.
The nation's leading minivehicle maker attributed the thriving performance to severe cost-reduction efforts and robust car sales in Asia.
Operating profit increased 28.2 percent to a record 95.1 billion yen, marking a second consecutive record high. Sales gained 9.1 percent to 2.19 trillion yen, marking a fifth consecutive record high.
Although domestic sales fell 3.8 percent to 822 billion yen, robust overseas sales helped.
Overseas sales grew 18.6 percent to 1.37 trillion yen, mainly led by a sharp production increase at its local production base in India, the company said.