RSS RSS Twitter Twitter
Leftlane - news, reviews, and info for the auto-industry
 
 

Suzuki to revamp U.S. lineup by 2013

08/26/2009, 12:18 PM

By Drew Johnson

Suzuki first reached its goal of selling 100,000 vehicles in the United States in 2006, but has struggled to come close to that figure in subsequent years. Part of the blame can be put on the downtrodden U.S. market, but Suzuki’s lackluster product offering is also at fault. In order to correct the situation, Suzuki is planning a product renaissance, of sorts, for the next four year.

To kick things off, Suzuki will improve upon its SX4 for the 2010 model year. Improvements for the 2010 model include a more powerful engine, a CVT transmission and the addition of a hot-hatch model.

Suzuki will follow up the 2010 SX4 with its all-new 2010 Kizahsi sedan. The Kizashi was rumored to receive four and six-cylinder powerplants, but the mid-size sedan will only be available with a 2.4L four-pot at launch. A V6 could eventually be added to the mix, but a hybrid version of the sedan will likely bow first for the 2011 or 2012 model year.

In order to capital on the small car boom in the U.S., Suzuki will launch its Swift model for the 2011 model year. The Swift is a popular model in Japan and Europe, known for its style and excellent fuel economy. The U.S. version will be powered by a 123 horsepower 1.6L engine.

To complement its new lineup of small cars and sedans, Suzuki will launch an all-new version of its Grand Vitara SUV for the 2013 model year. Power for the 2013 Grand Vitara will come from a 166 horsepower 2.4L four-cylinder, according to Automotive News.

Finally, Suzuki is mulling a new version of its XL7 crossover for the 2012 or 2013 model year. Production of the XL7 ceased earlier this year due to low demand, but the new version could ride on a stretched version of the Kizashi’s architecture.

Thanks to slow sales, the Suzuki Equator – essentially a Nissan Frontier with different badging – will likely be a one and done product offering.

New car price quote

Zero obligation price quote from a trusted local dealer.
 
 

08/26, 12:21 PM

posted by:

A4

Suzuki set to revamp lineup.. with a Jetta!

08/26, 12:22 PM

posted by:

A4

But in all seriousness, I’m glad they aren’t just giving up like Mitsubishi wants to.

08/26, 12:30 PM

posted by:

eff1Fifty

Um, good to know

So I have a quick question: can u buy a suzuki crotch rocket at a suzuki dealership? Or do they have diff dealerships for motorcycles?

08/26, 12:38 PM

posted by:

KarLoveBoy88

I could’ve sworn that they were pulling out of the American auto market? I guess they will give it another try.

08/26, 12:38 PM

posted by:

JakeK66

^Mostly different dealerships. Here in the Lou though, the biggest Hummer dealer is now selling guns of all types in it’s showroom and has been very popular.

08/26, 12:44 PM

posted by:

Soravia

I’m more into Suzuki cars than lame Mitsubishi products (except the Lancer Evo). They at least offer very decent features for the money. I would look into getting an SX4 if it will get sportier with a 6-speed.

08/26, 12:45 PM

posted by:

CADDY-V

@Jake-
I saw that. Your not kidding it’s a lot of guns.

08/26, 12:57 PM

posted by:

johnnycanuck

It’s a good plan but the question is will they be able to weather the storm until it’s implemented. Here in Canada they sell a rebadged Aveo and call it the Swift. What a joke. I like the idea of a hot hatch SX4 and hopefully they’ll keep the AWD.

And I’m gonna say it again: they should bring back the Sidekick. If Kia goes ahead with the Soulster- and based on the Soul I don’t see why it wouldn’t be a success- they would be fools not to think about it. You still see thousands of Sidekicks, Vitaras, Trackers and Sunrunners everywhere and if they hadn’t softened up the styling of the second generation so much I’ll bet you they’d still be around. The idea of a mini Jeep is more valid now than ever. Not everyone wants a Wrangler and the dismal fuel economy that goes along with it.

08/26, 1:28 PM

posted by:

howsmydriving

Suzuki should create an uber-expensive luxury car to compete with the likes of Maybach and Rolls Royce.

08/26, 1:38 PM

posted by:

andy

the SX4 is a pretty fun/good little awd, and more power is exactly what it needs, 150hp and 23/30mpg its a pretty good deal, toss a turbo on and you’ve got a light-weight midget wrx

08/26, 1:46 PM

posted by:

teahead

I’ll take a Suzuki over a Hyundai as far as tiny cheap cars go.

Kizashi AWD w/a 6-speed should be fun alternative to Subarus.

08/26, 1:53 PM

posted by:

eff1Fifty

Um, WHAT?!

Oh… u mean like Acura

08/26, 2:01 PM

posted by:

DenverGuy217

Nice to see them investing in the US one more time. I sort of expected them to retreat and then offer rebadged vehicles via the neww Saturn org. The Euro Swift is a sweet car. Now how about a Grand Vitara without the tire on the back door thank you

08/26, 2:28 PM

posted by:

rms492

Bring back a modern version of the Samurai.

Also, remember the Swift GT? Bring it back too and I’m in.

Otherwise, I’ll look elsewhere

08/26, 2:40 PM

posted by:

blitzkrieg79

@Soravia, I don’t think Mitsubishi is any worse than Suzuki, at least Mitsubishi is putting cool tech inside their cars such as SAWC, DSG/CVT transmissions or 650 watt Rockford Fosgate sound systems. The only thing that Suzuki has going for it in USA is SX4 (which is a freaking Fiat design), rest of the lineup is crap and definitely not better than anything Mitsubishi has right now, Outlander is a better car than Grand Vitara and Lancer is better than any other small car offering Suzuki currently has (and I am not even mentioning Ralliart or Evo). And in Europe/Japan they also have a crapload of cool cars such as iCar (and bunch of other Kei cars), Grandis, Colt, Triton, or even the Pajero. I don’t think Mitsubishi is giving up, they are playing it smart, hybernating, in this current economy, even if you would release the best car in the class, chances are you will still lose money as there just isn’t enough sales. Mitsubishi is realigning it’s resources towards electric cars that are already starting to come out in Japan. They will be fine.

08/26, 3:58 PM

posted by:

Genesis101

uhhhhh…. to the 2nd comment

mitsubishii was not the one that wanted to give up.. it was suzuki so……yea mitsubishi was telling us that they will try not to give up and come up with more compact fuel efficient vehicles for there lineup. and yea i give it to suzuki for telling us what to expect in the future unlike mitsubishi but i like mitsubishi more.

08/26, 4:02 PM

posted by:

Borat

Hopefully demise of GM will do good for Suzuki. They were stuck with defective Daewoos that GM pawned on them and then were responsible for maintaining those third world quality wonders. SX4 is really good looking and useful car. FIAT is licensing it from Suzuki for production and diistribution in Europe. In all honesty Suzuki probably will need to partner with someone. There is not much room for smallish autocompanies under the sun.

08/26, 4:16 PM

posted by:

2WheeledSpeed

I think Suzuki has a lot of potential, as some have already pointed out they have a few good cars already here and overseas. They already build some of the best bikes around, there’s absolutely no reason they can’t build some amazing cars. But they should stay away from cheap rebadges that just make their brand look bad.

08/26, 4:24 PM

posted by:

iluvamcars

Karllove-That was what the analysts think they should do.

08/26, 5:13 PM

posted by:

moparsalesman1

@ eff1fifty we have suzuki in our dealership as well and about four years ago we had motorcycles and atv’s but like most suzuki dealerships we now only have they autos

08/26, 5:38 PM

posted by:

zfenderguy

I like my Suzuki Quadracer. I’d take a gixxer too. Any of thier cars…not so much. Maybe that will change with this news.

08/26, 6:47 PM

posted by:

iluvamcars

Borat? What in the hell are you talking about. GM will not go out of business. Get over it already. Notice how no one comments to your comment, because they(your comment)are nonsense.

-iluvamcars

08/27, 4:46 AM

posted by:

protonzdead2me

The Swift is one of the nicest small cars to drive. Better than Fit/Yaris/Aveo/etc.

08/27, 4:02 PM

posted by:

global_lightning

Suzuki has a kickass line of motorcycles but their cars are weak. What they need is something along the lines of a Hayabusa SX4. Image a car that will go toe-to-toe with the Camaro/Mustang/Challenger for 1/3 the price. Hyundai’s already doing it, Suzuki should be next.

08/27, 11:10 PM

posted by:

John_K

Hmmmm… maybe if the dinky little SX4 didn’t get Dodge Ram like gas mileage, they wouldn’t be desperate to sell 100K cars.

08/28, 7:20 AM

posted by:

jimmyblaze

I’d be afraid to by a Suzuki car as are probably a lot of people. I like Suzuki as company but I think the Kizashi is going to be a tough sell just like all of their other boring, blandly styled sedan offerings as of late including the Daewoo made cars (Forenza, Reno and Verona) they were selling. Which by the way was due to there tie up with GM. Suzuki’s affiliation with GM is also why the XL-7 was likely killed off because it was made by GM and based on the last generation Equinox.

12/07, 4:50 PM

posted by:

thecatmeaw

according to http://www.autoten.com
the new grand vitara is deley to 2013 sale year….
god the 8 year life cycle

and please bring back the samulai .

 
 
You need to log in with your user name and password before you can leave comments.

    

Forgot your Password?


Don't have a user name yet? Simply fill in the form below and click the link provided in the
confirmation email. You must supply a valid email address to complete the registration process.

  
 
 
 
 
  • Login
  • About
  • Contact
Please note that you need to log in with your user name and password before you can leave comments.
  

login
cancel
Forgot your Password?
Don't have a user name yet? Click here to register now.

Simply fill in the form below and click the link provided in the confirmation email. You must supply a valid email address to complete the registration process.

  
submit
cancel
Leftlane is the leading source for automotive industry and vehicle news, new car research, future vehicle information, and reviews. Read by car shoppers, driving enthusiasts, autoworkers, executives, and investors, the website is updated throughout the day with the very latest auto news - as it happens.

Leftlane also provides consumers with accurate and media-rich information on every car currently on the market. In-market shoppers can review specs, read overviews, view high-resolution images, watch videos, and estimate pricing. No other automotive publication brings together the same degree of timeliness, thoroughness and accuracy as Leftlane.
 
submit
cancel