Suzuki pulls out of World Rally Championship

TOKYO -- Japanese automaker Suzuki Motor Corporation has pulled out of next year's FIA World Rally Championship, citing a drop in sales due to the global financial crisis.

"In responding to the contraction of the automotive sales caused by recent global economic turmoil, Suzuki has been promptly taking possible countermeasures," the company said in a statement Monday. "As a result, Suzuki concluded to suspend the WRC activities from 2009."

Suzuki's announcement comes 10 days after Honda's decision earlier this month to pull its team out of Formula One -- also due to the financial crisis.

Suzuki, which started its involvement with international rally competition with the 2002 Junior World Rally Championship, entered two SX4 WRCs in the 2008 WRC.