REPORT: Suzuki CEO nips VW tie-up rumors in the bud
Those constant rumors that Volkswagen may acquire a 10-percent stake in Suzuki all have one thing in common: they all emanate from the Volkswagen side of the coin. Naturally, no such deal can be completely one-sided, and whenever given the opportunity Suzuki has consistently denied that there's any truth to the speculation.
Osamu Suzuki, chief executive at the Japanese automaker that bears his name, has once again conclusively stated that there is no impending tie-up between the two automakers:
All smoke and no fire? We'll know soon enough – rumor has it that the deal, if it exists at all, will take place before the end of the year.There's a saying that there's no smoke where there's no fire, but you're all creating smoke where there's no fire in this case. There's been nothing on this (Volkswagen ties) from our side.
[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req'd]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
dasupersprint91 10:22AM (11/03/2009)
Well, the Kizashi already have a VW face - minest the badge.
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AngeloD 10:24AM (11/03/2009)
It's a shame Chrysler couldn't have hooked up with Suzuki. Suzuki has just what Chrysler needs right now: good quality midsize and small cars.
A rebadged Suzuki SX4 would do a lot more for Chrysler than a FIAT 500.
Suzuki would get the large N. American distribution network they badly need.
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aliasfox 10:41AM (11/03/2009)
You're forgetting that the Suzuki SX4 *is* a FIAT - it's sold as the FIAT Sedici in Europe.
A Panda, Sedici, and Linea for Dodge, a 500, Bravo, and Linea for Chrysler? Could be worse.
AngeloD 11:00AM (11/03/2009)
""You're forgetting that the Suzuki SX4 *is* a FIAT - it's sold as the FIAT Sedici in Europe.""
I'll be damned, I did not know that about the SX4.
Still, the Suzuki Kizashi would be a game changer for Chrysler if sold as the new Sebring.
unni 11:43AM (11/03/2009)
May be Suzuki swift (Fifth generation, 2004+ model ) is the best of NA market, Its a very kool car , I dont care who put badge on in but i love to buy one ( original swift not swift+)
if the put the sx4 kind of iawd then its going to instant hit ( its a hit all over rest of the world )
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suzuki_Swift
Aprime 11:07AM (11/03/2009)
It's the second time they deny this, why does the media persist?
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James 1:38PM (11/03/2009)
"There's a saying that there's no smoke where there's no fire, but you're all creating smoke where there's no fire in this case...."
All it needs then is add...HOT AIR (media) to the mix, and lots of it! ;p
Richard S. 1:15PM (11/03/2009)
Suzuki is doing horribly in the U.S. At what point do dealers just give-up for lack of sales? They are placing their salvation on the Kizashi, but unless it is coming priced-below the competition and offering a warranty to match Hyundai, I don't think it will do as well as Suzuki expects.
Hyundai and KIA are coming very strong and have the weak Won as a tail-wind.Suzuki has a great reputation for their sportbikes and they should have focused on offering sporty-small cars such as the previous generation Civic and Mazda3.
Imagine a 2 door Civic Si type of car with agressive lines and priced reasonably and sold by Suzuki next to one of their superbikes.
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themeat424 10:44PM (11/03/2009)
The SX4 *IS NOT* a Fiat. The Fiat Sedici is a re badged SX4. the SX4 was engineered in Japan and built on a stretched current gen Suzuki Swift. The exterior design was done in Italy. The only reason there is a Fiat Sedici is because Suzuki got a diesel engine from Fiat in exchange for the rights to re badge the SX4.
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