By Edward Niedermeyer
January 5, 2009
You might have noticed a somewhat depressing tone in car news lately. Keith Crain has, and by the tone of his latest column at Automotive News [sub], it sounds like he’s ready for a refill of his favorite SSRI. But while Crain’s beloved Detroit firms may have a monopoly on federal bailout money, they certainly aren’t the only ones suffering. In addition to shelving overseas factory plans, Suzuki has announced that their entry into the “large car” market is now on hold according to Automotive News Europe [sub]. That means the sedan based on the Kizashi 3 Concept pictured above (spy shots here) won’t be hitting markets in 2010. For what it’s worth, the concept had a 300 hp 3.6 liter V6 mated to an AWD drivetrain. If the SX-4 strategy is anything to go on, the production model could have offered a decent entry-level AWD sports sedan at a truly competitive price point. But could Suzuki really do to the A4 what Hyundai is trying to do to the Lexus LS? I suppose we’ll never know now. And even amidst all the big bad news right now, I think that’s just a bit depressing.
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January 5th, 2009 at 7:20 pm
I sat in the SX4 at a recent auto show. Nice specs on paper, but wasn’t impressed. If Suzuki left the US market, I wouldn’t notice.
January 5th, 2009 at 7:37 pm
Smart move, Suzuki-san.
Next Gen Swift, in time for the oil price re-set.
January 5th, 2009 at 7:38 pm
That motor sure sounds like the GM direct-injection mill. And GM/Suzuki have shared parts/platforms in the past.
Perhaps the car died not because of internal strife, but because GM turned off the supply chain?
January 5th, 2009 at 8:02 pm
mtypex: You have to look at the pricing sheet if you want to be impressed.
Sajeev: A definite possibility. The Kizashi was also supposed to be based on Epsilon II. So, I guess the real question is when will GM offer a decent-looking AWD sports sedan for a bargain price?
January 5th, 2009 at 8:18 pm
Maybe Suzuki could sell the designs to Acura as the basis for the next RL.
January 5th, 2009 at 9:22 pm
I thought that some of the recent Suzuki concepts were promising, too bad, I would like to see them grow in the US.
January 5th, 2009 at 11:21 pm
If this thing had 400 HP, and was large enough, I’d give it serious consideration. Otherwise, I’d never find myself dead in a Suzuki.
January 6th, 2009 at 12:41 am
“But while Crain’s beloved Detroit firms may have a monopoly on federal bailout money”…let’s see’ should the american government provide bailouts to foreign firms doing business in the US? are you under the impression that american firms are getting bailouts in other countries? and as you well know being paid to cover this stuff, other countries including japan are in fact providing money to auto companies. american auto biz deserves plenty of heat, but the constant crap you guys spew in their direction is often less than thoughtful or insightful. kicking things when down is easy. come lay at my feet and i’ll give you a taste.
January 6th, 2009 at 7:18 am
“are you under the impression that american firms are getting bailouts in other countries? ”
As a matter of fact, GM is receiving money from at least: Canada, Austrailia, Germany, and Sweden.