REPORT: Suzuki's Kizashi program stillborn
Click above for a high-res gallery of the (apparently D.O.A.) Suzuki Kizashi
We're going to have to get used to feigning shock when new models are scrapped seemingly just weeks away from production. If the reports are true, Suzuki's long-awaited Kizashi sedan is to be the latest victim in this growing syndrome. We've already seen a number of prototypes running around in what looks like full-production sheetmetal, but now we're hearing that the car's 2010 launch may have been scuttled wholesale - yet another victim of the deteriorating global economy.
Over the last year, Suzuki has made some very public overtures to the family sedan segment with its lauded string of Kizashi concept cars, but warning signs for the model's viability began to emerge in September when Suzuki CEO Osamu Suzuki hinted to Reuters that the car could still be nixed.
In North America, at least, Suzuki has yet to kick its reputation as the redheaded stepchild of Asia's automakers (an unfortunate mantle it inherited when Isuzu pulled out of the passenger car market), despite building some compelling products like the SX4 Crossover. If reports of the Kizashi's death are true, we can't see Suzuki climbing off the bottom rung anytime soon.
Gallery: Spy Shots: Suzuki Kizashi in Germany
[Source: Reuters, IndiaInfoOnline]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Tim 11:13AM (1/05/2009)
That they would kill a program that is so close to production is hard for me to comprehend. Knowing what is involved in a typical development program, the sort of money they have spent, and will still have to spend to settle supplier contracts, is not insignificant. I can't see a company the size of Suzuki being able to easily absorb those costs.
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Hamud 11:17AM (1/05/2009)
Too bad, that´s a very attractive car, looks a bit like the Jetta.
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Mental Issues 11:21AM (1/05/2009)
The problem with Suzuki in America is that they've been selling awful rebadged Korean cars instead of Japanese designs like the Swift. Remember the Verona, Forenza, and Reno?
Yeah, I don't either.
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Throwback 11:43AM (1/05/2009)
I agree. I can't understand how a company that makes very competitive sport bikes can't make good small cars.
geo.stewart 1:03PM (1/05/2009)
Their problems are thus:
- older engine tech- dependable yes, advance tech no
- heavy steel bodies- they typically weigh more than their competition
- interior is usually okay but nothing stellar, very limited options
- marketing- need to be out there more. and have a sport version or 2
Grand Vitara and Reno are attractive vehicles but with the other issues, not compelling. The highest volume suzuki dealer in the country is in my town and they move merchandise but with a limited model lineup and limited option packages and not very fuel efficient, its a low cost appliance
Lar 1:50PM (1/05/2009)
"The problem with Suzuki in America is that they've been selling awful rebadged Korean cars instead of Japanese designs like the Swift. Remember the Verona, Forenza, and Reno?"
Quite so. I feel like GM and Suzuki really diluted the value of the house of Hayabusa. The game isn't lost yet, but the Accord-class (and as yet nameless) Kizashi car was to be a giant step in the right direction.
On the other end of the deal, and while the cars themselves were plainly rental grade, I think that GM did both American consumers and Daewoo a single disservice failing to offer Verona, Forenza, and Reno as the entry-level things at Chevrolet, Pontiac, and Saturn stores.
Daniel 11:45AM (1/05/2009)
I completely understand that they cannot reproduce the Concept for a decent price, but I never will understand why they completely bastardized that gorgeous concept.
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Torrent 12:56PM (1/05/2009)
I agree.The Kizashi 1 and 3 were definitely in the top 20 concepts I ever seen in my life. Now look. It's a Corolla.
black 2:51PM (1/05/2009)
Torrent: The 3rd had a lot of chrome finishes, and a matte silver paint job. The tester has a lot less polish present, so its best to wait until the final model is shown before saying that.
Daniel 3:10PM (1/05/2009)
I think it goes well beyond paint job and chrome accents. The lines aren't even remotely the same, every design element has been "rounded off", and most things that made the concept such a head turner have either been completely removed, or extremely dumbed down.
why not the LS2LS7? 11:49AM (1/05/2009)
I think the shutdown of Daihatsu USA also helped clear the way for Suzuki's fall to the bottom rung.
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Cam 12:04PM (1/05/2009)
I've never once considered a Suzuki when the prospect of buying a new car has come up. This would've changed that. Too bad.
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BoxerFanatic 12:05PM (1/05/2009)
An economic downturn is not the time for businesses to retract if there is any other option.
If there is a way to move forward, even a little bit, or slowly, it is more important in hard times, than in good times. It is harder, but more necessary.
You're either growing, or you're dying, there ain't no third direction, especially in hard times.
The companies that push forward, even just a bit, survive the times, and are poised to do better when the recovery occurs. Companies that retract often fail before getting a chance to recover, or during the recovery when others surge ahead, and the retracted companies still struggle.
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Monkaroo 12:58PM (1/05/2009)
Why would a company spend huge sums of money to develop a car and not release it, even in limited production numbers? That's just wasting money that you could possibly recoup with production models.
This car looks much smaller than the concept car, which gives it that strunk dimensions look. It looks like a muscluar compact car.
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pcrager 1:02PM (1/05/2009)
What's Jamie Hyneman doing in this photo with his face blurred?
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Torrent 1:23PM (1/05/2009)
That is a great question....
Mike 2:04PM (1/05/2009)
I have a better question: What is Jamie Hyneman and his equally humourless friend doing on TV? Mythbusters is shyte.
Chris 1:57PM (1/05/2009)
Too bad it's the best looking Suzuki I've ever seen.
One of just two or three Suzuki cars that I would legitimately buy.
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Jeff 3:43PM (1/05/2009)
Suzuki's biggest problem stateside is marketing. Car shoppers rarely consider Suzuki because they don't even know Suzuki makes cars... And those who do remember cars like the Swift and Samurai. Now that they've gotten rid of their rebadged-Daewoo models, and replaced them with models designed and built in Japan, they should be having more success than they are -- It's hard to argue the value of a car like the SX4. In a world of boring cars like the Civic and Corolla, the Kizashi would have given them some new ammo.
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P.V. 5:46PM (1/05/2009)
I think this is really sad. Suzuki's homegrown models like the Swift and SX4 are actually pretty good (the Swift is REALLY good), as are its other microcars. I think this would have been no different; a diesel would have been SWEET!
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