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Suzuki's US Future -- Good or Dismal

204 messages,  Last post on Mar 27, 2013 at 4:54 PM

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What is this discussion about? Suzuki, Automotive News

Messages Page 21 of 21

#196 of 204 Re: here's a twist [steve_] by carthell

Dec 27, 2012 (8:40 pm)

Replying to: steve_ (Dec 27, 2012 8:10 pm)
I wonder who's driving the sales? Fans? Bargain-hunters? The bankruptcy announcement itself might be Suzuki USA's largest marketing push since this year's Superbowl. (That's a crying shame!)
 
My Aerio is on its last legs, and it is unfortunate that Suzuki doesn't have a suitable replacement (Kizashi wagon!!). I'm moving on.

#197 of 204 Re: here's a twist [steve_] by nippononly

Jan 13, 2013 (1:32 am)

Replying to: steve_ (Dec 27, 2012 8:10 pm)
I thought American Suzuki was bankrupt with the intent to liquidate? A company in the process of liquidation is importing an additional 2500 cars to sell?!

#198 of 204 Re: here's a twist [nippononly] by joeyrab

Jan 13, 2013 (4:59 am)

Replying to: nippononly (Jan 13, 2013 1:32 am)
Yes, I read the same thing. They announced bankrupcy, and had a 22% sales increase over last year, (for that month), I think it was November. BUT they stated they still are leaving. I really wish they at least tried. Not to make a good car, because they do, but at least tried with advertising and really getting into the public eye. They only had what 4 models? All they needed was just a couple more......more than 5 dealers would have helped as well.
I think daily how I missed out on an sx4 Crossover.

#199 of 204 Re: here's a twist [joeyrab] by nippononly

Jan 13, 2013 (10:53 pm)

Replying to: joeyrab (Jan 13, 2013 4:59 am)
I had a soft spot for them too, but you could see they were doomed from a long time ago.
 
I drove an SX4 - it had the neat thing where you could switch from AWD to FWD to save gas. It was a nice little car, but at the time the Subaru Impreza had another 25 hp and an arguably better AWD system for about the same money. The only edge Suzuki had in that race was a couple of MPG in the EPA rating.
 
Maybe one day Suzuki will be back - look at Fiat, gone for 20 years, turned their fortunes around at home, and now they are back in the States!

#201 of 204 Re: This is almost as surprising as when Clay Aiken came out of the closet!!! [igozoomzoom] by bwaa

Feb 21, 2013 (12:05 pm)

Replying to: igozoomzoom (Nov 06, 2012 7:07 am)
I can't stop laughing at your subject...crying now

#202 of 204 Re: here's a twist [nippononly] by bwaa

Feb 21, 2013 (12:06 pm)

Replying to: nippononly (Jan 13, 2013 10:53 pm)
this is true...Fiats are all over the road these days!

#203 of 204 Suzuki Canada Inc will end its 30-year run by gimmestdtranny

Mar 27, 2013 (9:14 am)

PRESS DIGEST-Canada-March 27/2013 (Thomson Reuters)
"Suzuki Canada Inc will end its 30-year run of selling vehicles in Canada next year, the final withdrawal of Suzuki Motor Corp from markets it once thought so important that it manufactured vehicles here."
 
So Cda too loses the Kizashi.
Thanks Consumer Reports, for starting the first nail in their coffin. :total sarcasm:
 
But Suzuki needs to certainly own a lot of responsibility for this position they have found themselves in over here. When they can't produce a V6 4WD SUV (the not very Grand Vitara) that couldn't even match the FE of a 1000 lb heavier, 1.3 litre larger V6 AWD minivan (the marginally more Grand Caravan) that holds 3- 4 more passengers, then they really should have realized that they needed to step-up their game. And that went on for years, so is it any wonder? Hell..even the Koreans were getting better FE back in the day, and when you go back even 10 years, the Koreans couldn't come close to the Japanese FE figures. At least the small FWD'rs got competitive FE numbers, but their cars weren't really idiot proofed very well and were cheaply made in some areas...considering they were Japanese. I can't speak for what is available in Japan where they are still super popular, but here in NA, they never really kept up to the speed of technological progress here...Kizashi being too little (poor option pkg choices with too limited powertrain options) too late..
 
Suzuki should have brought to market a turbo diesel SUV 15 years ago when NO ONE else was offering one. Their gas guzzling Grd Vitara could have sustained them to this day had it had a totally doable 40 mpg diesel in it..

#204 of 204 Re: Suzuki Canada Inc will end its 30-year run [gimmestdtranny] by carthell

Mar 27, 2013 (4:54 pm)

Replying to: gimmestdtranny (Mar 27, 2013 9:14 am)
I read a story another web site where a reporter interviewed the VP of auto sales & marketing, Bill Porter of Suzuki Canada, late last year. When the reporter asked about ASMC's bankruptcy effects on Canada's operation, he did not know. He asserted that Suzuki Canada's position was strong, and they're committed to supporting their customers. He could not give any information about Suzuki's future Canadian products, or give any hints about the strategies that they might use to stay in the market. I guess we now know why.
 
Kaboom.
 
I speculate that the bankruptcy of ASMC put Canada's operation at risk, regardless of what Mr. Porter said. Suzuki was too small to survive in north America.

Messages Page 21 of 21

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