What I saw last year in NYC show wasn’t all that great. Suzuki can stop struggling with cars in US and concentrate on other markets where they sell better.

Destined for failure before it’s even out of the box. I really wish Suzuki would quit trying to be something it’s not. I don’t have the numbers to back it up but I’d bet they sold a lot more vehicles when they offered product like the Swift and the Sidekick. And I’ll bet they wish they still did.

‘johnny’, it’s hard for the average buyer to take them seriously when they have such a small number of vehicles at an auto show to display … they NEED something in this class … a full line or they are, for sure, destined to fail.

I agree Impulsive. Hyundai is a perfect example. They’ve been expanding their line for a while now.

Impulsive, why do you think the Kia Soulster received such an overwhelming response that it’s likely to see production? It’s a modern update on the Sidekick and it doesn’t even offer 4wd. I can see why Suzuki abandoned that model when behemoth SUVs were all the rage but you can’t tell me it wouldn’t sell in this climate. I see your point about having more models but this is like throwing another bucket of water into the ocean. It’s just going to get lost out there in the sea of all the other mid size sedans despite their claims to the contrary.

‘johnny’, the average buyer doesn’t want to see a Sidekick replacement despite it probably becoming a hit. Ask the average buyer and Suzuki doesn’t even come to mind as a manufacturer. They need to expand to lose their niche reputation.

What you’re arguing makes sense in terms of making desperately needed sales but accomplishes nothing in the grand scheme of things.

Impulsive, by that reasoning why is Subaru apparently weathering the storm better than most? It’s because they’ve stuck to their niche. And again I don’t have the numbers to back this up, but I’m guessing the slowest selling vehicles in their lineup are the Legacy and the Tribecca- and those two being the ones that try the hardest to dip their toes in the mainstream waters.

I am with Johnny on this one. How many times I wanted to buy the same car I owned, but a new one. It could never happen. Small car companies have to foster their niche and become a leader in it. Instead many of them just abandoned their roots and gone next day. Subaru is a perfect example of sticking to its guns. And their cars are not that great, but they have a niche everyone now is gunning for (including Audi!). Suzuki started min SUV segment in early 90’s but no longer there. So they resigned to sell Daewoo crap and re-budged GM trucks. Currently they 2 decent cars of their own (SX4 & SX4 Sport), but I afraid that their goose is cooked and it have not laid a golden egg.

I think Suzuki could see a level of success if they would, as johnny said, “stop trying to be something they’re not”. Honestly, this isn’t a class where a Suzuki can comptete with any degree of seriousness.

If they stuck to small, affordable, “sporty-ish” cars, they can gain success with a certain base. Younger buyers, students, and people who need something affordable are the ones Suzuki will pull in . They do need to really accentuate the “fun factor”, which they had with the Sidekick/ Samurai/ Swift/ etc.

The Equator is honestly a joke, but their SUV’s have some distinctive styling, but they need to focus on the compact segment. People don’t want a Suzuki sedan to compete with companies that already have a foothold like Honda, Toyota, and some GM and Fords, in that segment. The Accord and Camry are proven and trusted, this offers more sport supposedly, but no transcript AT ALL.

That’s the problem.

Work on the compacts, maybe work out another mini jeep or something, and they could be on track. This is just not gonna work with their volume, target audience, and history.

The concept looks amazing, however everything we have seen since has been a disappointment in every sense of the word.

Suzuki should be deserved a market in the US. The two companies that should leave are Kia and Hyundai. Genesis is just a piece of $hit, at least Kizashi looks better, maybe better in performace. Korean automakers shouldn’t hit their cars in the US, or even make a sport car. look like a crap! give a flick to genesis! Kazashi will do better!

“Genesis is just a piece of $hit”

Seriously. Get smart.

Suzuki has great products but their management is plagued with serious problems with internal corruptions and such that it’s hard for them to compete in the market. I know I used to be a dealer and I’ve met with the owner in Japan. Very unfortunate…

‘johnny’, the average buyer isn’t looking for a Sidekick replacement. The average buyer is ignoring Suzuki at the auto shows because they have little to offer and that portrays a certain image that results in little interest in the company. Add to that the fact that what they do offer is not accolade material, unlike Subaru. The average buyer is ignoring Suzuki altogether. They NEED a full line of vehicles to do well in North America. Being a niche player here doesn’t help them grow globally.

In Canada last year, Suzuki sold about 11,000 vehicles in total. The Kia Rondo sold nearly as many units itself. Where do you think that # is going to be for ‘09 and ‘10 in this shiatstorm?

I’m not saying they didn’t make a mistake by ceasing sales of the Sidekick but it really was geared towards women, sorry if that hurts a little, and without a full lineup there’s no way they’d be higher than 11th in global sales #s.

By the way, they do sell a Swift in Canada … too bad it’s crap. I don’t blame the auto show visitors for passing their display.

Impulsive, you’re right about the Swift as it’s just an Aveo with a Suzuki badge. And no, I don’t take offense about the Sidekick being geared towards women. In fact that statement is a little beneath you since who doesn’t at least in some way gear their product towards women? They do make up roughly 50% of the market. I don’t know, I’m guessing, but that seems logical don’t you think? At least the Sidekick didn’t come with a vase in the dash.

I don’t think Suzuki needs a full line of vehicles to be successful in North America. They need vehicles that sell and we both agree they aren’t doing very well in that regard. The Kizashi isn’t going to solve that problem. I like to sh*t on some automakers as much as the next guy for trying to answer questions no one asked by creating a niche. Suzuki had a niche and they abandoned it. Now where are they? Not in the minds of many buyers for sure.

‘johnny’, you’re still wanting them to settle for niche status, largely due to sales to women, where I want them to grow into a major force. You’re missing the entire point by focusing on my stating FACT, not posting what you believe is “beneath me”.

Suzuki is a leader in motorcycles. They should try harder in automobiles. 11,000 is pathetic.