Volkswagen looking to take stake in Suzuki by year's end?
The rumors keep coming. Just last month, we reported that Volkswagen AG was interested in a small slice of Suzuki Motors. Now, the German industry publication Automobilwoche is reiterating the same news. Apparently, a Suzuki executive at the Frankfurt Motor Show mentioned that an agreement between the two automakers would be in place by the end of the year. "For Suzuki and VW this connection would be a win-win situation. Suzuki would have access to a variety of VW's technology, while Volkswagen would have a solid supporting leg in India and Southeast Asia," the unnamed source said. Neither party has any official word on the matter. However, last Monday Martin Winterkorn, VW's Chief Executive, said the product portfolio of the Japanese automaker would fit well with his company. Thanks for the tip, James!
[Source: Reuters]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
thewevel 11:48AM (9/20/2009)
Dear Automotive Press:
I am hereby copyrighting the terms "Volkzuki" and "Suzwagen". Feel free to use them, however I would like full credit any time they are used.
Sincerely,
thewevel
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Farmboy 12:03PM (9/20/2009)
Or else he will Suz Volks.
James 4:10PM (9/20/2009)
I'd like to see Suzuki carry the torch of the stalled VW GX3 concept...
wwac4life 11:52AM (9/20/2009)
Can't wait for the new Kizashi TDI
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James 12:40PM (9/20/2009)
There was even talk last year that Piech had wanted to purchase a motorcycle manufacturer...so the Suzuki route could be finally be it.
http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/16/vw-chairman-piech-wants-to-buy-motorcycle-manufacturer/
Btw, ditto vote for a Kizashi TDI...or you could call it an oil burning Jettashi.
Patrick 12:00PM (9/20/2009)
After seeing how well having a dozen car brands worked for GM, VW seems to be copying the plan.
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nagmashot 12:58PM (9/20/2009)
the different VW is doing, they buy brands that work or have a great name, not brands deep in red numbers with a bad reputation.... next to Seat currently all Volkswagen brands earning money even in this bad days for the world wide car indusrty... GM was writing red numbers even in the "good" days.
According to german news VW is not interest in entering the japanes market... they are already there and are the most successfull non japanese brand there. They are doing very well in China and India so there is no need for VW to buy Suzuki stocks...
What VW wants is Suzukis Kei car (micro cars) technology and experience... Suzuki is over 30years now the number one in Japans Kei car market and for sure one way for manufactors to reach future fleet consuption limits is to sell very small cheap cars with extrem low consuption ... and they are perfect to complete the model range on third world markets like India or in africa ... were VW still sells with success the Golf Mk I as the VW Citi
xor.be 12:03PM (9/20/2009)
I suppose it's good.. but somehow it annoys me.
I had an old Skoda back in the day, drove like crap, but like .. skoda.
The new fabia drives like a polo ..
Had an ibiza too back int he day .. had caracter.
the new one drives like a polo ..
soon everything will feel like driving a polo hehe
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Throwback 12:14PM (9/20/2009)
Well you can't ever have enough brands, right Herr Piech?
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James 12:44PM (9/20/2009)
"Porsche Is Not Enough..." - Ferdinand Piech
Santosh Tiwari 12:21PM (9/20/2009)
I am afraid Volkswagon might be the new GM.
Consolidating brands works well (Toyota and Honda are good examples).
However, if you want to enter a new market, then partnering with someone who already has a strong presence is probably a good idea.
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Bob-omb 8:43PM (9/20/2009)
Yeah. This honestly makes more sense than practically any other partnership in recent memory. VW and Suzuki aren't big sellers in the U.S., sure, but this could gonna give them a huuuuge presence on practically every continent.
J.Crew 12:32PM (9/20/2009)
Done deal for sure. The last area where VW Group does not have a strong presence.
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mbslrm 12:40PM (9/20/2009)
Considering the fact that Maruti-Suzuki has the most market share in India, and is doing quite well in other emerging markets, this is a good move for VW.
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Brian 12:47PM (9/20/2009)
They will do better than GM did with Suzuki, that's for sure.
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James 1:14PM (9/20/2009)
"Suzuki would have access to a variety of VW's technology..."
I could see it a year or two from now, i.e. a new Suzuki XL7 (recently discontinued; based on the Equinox/Torrent platform)...based on the next gen Touareg.
bathtub gin 4:47PM (9/20/2009)
Better than GM? I hope Suzuki stays away from the Volkswagen window regulator & spoiler technology.
Feketelaszlo 1:57PM (9/20/2009)
Nooo, I don't want Suzuki to become VW's "bit@h", I like the Suzis, get you dirty hands off the Suzuki VW!
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Polarstar 3:31PM (9/20/2009)
Maybe a VW GSX-R 1000?
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sparrk 6:59PM (9/20/2009)
..TDI