Tokyo  - Suzuki Motors Corp bought back its 3.02-per-cent stake from the US auto giant General Motors Crop (GM), the Japanese automaker said Tuesday.

The purchase of all the 16,413,000 shares came to about 22.37 billion yen (230.7 million dollars), Suzuki said.

Suzuki now owns about 20 per cent of its own outstanding shares, while GM lost its ownership in Suzuki, ending a 27-year investment.

The two automakers would continue joint projects such as development of hybrid cars, fuel cells and power trains.

GM incurred a net loss of 2.54 billion dollars in the July-September quarter due to financial turmoil.

Suzuki and GM launched a business partnership in 1981. (dpa)