Suzuki In Engine Deal With Fiat

Bertel Schmitt
by Bertel Schmitt

In what could possibly raise eyebrows in Wolfsburg, Suzuki is getting cozier with Fiat. According to The Nikkei [sub], Fiat will supply Suzuki with 20,000 to 30,000 1.6-liter diesel engines per year. The engines will be built in Europe. Suzuki plans to use the engines in the SX4, which was jointly developed with Fiat, at Suzuki’s assembly plant in Hungary.

Suzuki sells the SX4 under its own brand and supplies it to Fiat, which sells it as the Sedici. Suzuki also builds a 1.3-liter Fiat diesel engine under a licensing agreement in India.

This might not make Volkswagen happy, because they think they are the masters of the small diesel universe. Suzuki will likely claim that it had signed a cooperation contract with Fiat in 2005, covering vehicle development and engine production. That was years before Suzuki and Volkswagen tied the knot, and contracts are contracts, no?

Sure, but there is increasing uneasiness in Wolfsburg that the marriage with the Japanese bride has been childless so far, and if the bride continues to play footsie with the beau from Torino, the Germans could get jealous.

Bertel Schmitt
Bertel Schmitt

Bertel Schmitt comes back to journalism after taking a 35 year break in advertising and marketing. He ran and owned advertising agencies in Duesseldorf, Germany, and New York City. Volkswagen A.G. was Bertel's most important corporate account. Schmitt's advertising and marketing career touched many corners of the industry with a special focus on automotive products and services. Since 2004, he lives in Japan and China with his wife <a href="http://www.tomokoandbertel.com"> Tomoko </a>. Bertel Schmitt is a founding board member of the <a href="http://www.offshoresuperseries.com"> Offshore Super Series </a>, an American offshore powerboat racing organization. He is co-owner of the racing team Typhoon.

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 3 comments
  • Bryce Bryce on Jun 27, 2011

    Suzuki used to use Peugeot diesel engines so Fiat or VW is a real backward step.

    • Colin42 Colin42 on Jun 27, 2011

      And this is based on some in depth tear down of all current Peugeot, VW & Fiat diesel engines? Or on multiple (statistical significance) 500,000 mile tests?

  • Eldard Eldard on Jun 27, 2011

    Suzuki better give away fire extinguishers then.

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