Suzuki Death Watch 6: It's Official, Suzuki Is No More

Derek Kreindler
by Derek Kreindler

(NSFW language)

Months ago, we began our Suzuki Death Watch, and today, we hear the executioner’s song. Suzuki’s North American distribution arm filed for bankruptcy, and will end automotive sales in the United States. Slow sales, an unfavorable exchange rate and a limited lineup of vehicles can all be blamed for the demise of a company that was ignored all too often. Luckily, Suzuki’s motorcycle and powersports business remain intact. We’ll have more tomorrow.


Derek Kreindler
Derek Kreindler

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  • 30-mile fetch 30-mile fetch on Nov 06, 2012

    Aside from the Kizashi, I don't think there is a single Suzuki model to miss. Great time to pick up a rebadged Frontier on the cheap though. Good time to pick up a Kizashi, too. Anyone lamenting the cheapening of the Jetta should have flocked to Suzuki. The Kizashi is about as close as you can get to a MkV Jetta. Skip the AWD and get the manual tranny and it wasn't a bad deal even at MSRP.

  • Darkhorse Darkhorse on Nov 06, 2012

    Great motorcycles. So-so cars.

  • 86er 86er on Nov 06, 2012

    So, this company sold cars you say? First I've heard of it.

  • Kvndoom Kvndoom on Nov 06, 2012

    So who will do service on their cars? I'm sure the used ones will see Saturn-like depreciation soon, so I could pick up a 6MT Kizashi Sport for next to nothing in a few years when my TSX has its 10th birthday.

    • Steve65 Steve65 on Nov 06, 2012

      "I could pick up a 6MT Kizashi Sport for next to nothing" Or not. Given how few of them were sold, it's likely that a lot of them went to people who wanted them specifically, and not just "a car". With resale values tanked, it's even more likely that those people will just hang onto them throughout their useful life, rather than take the bath on accelerated depreciation. Me? I'm hoping to find an SX4 5-door in orange, with manual transmission. I suspect they sold about 5 of them, so I'm not holding my breath.

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