Autoblog Suzuki http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog Suzuki http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/favicon-v5.png Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/ Dan Roth, Zach Bowman and Jeff RossThe podcast by the people who obsessively cover the auto industry. <![CDATA[Suzuki Authentics Concept is genuine but drab]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/20/suzuki-authentics-concept-shanghai-2013/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/20/suzuki-authentics-concept-shanghai-2013/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/20/suzuki-authentics-concept-shanghai-2013/#comments Filed under: , , , ,

Suzuki Authentics - front three-quarter view live at 2013 Shanghai Motor Show

Looks can certainly be deceiving. Have a glance at this new Suzuki Authentics concept, for example - we were told that this would, essentially, be a proper sedan version of the new SX4, but our folks on the ground in Shanghai tell us it's actually much larger. Like, bigger than the Kizashi. (Hey, remember the Kizashi?)

Regardless, Suzuki says that the Authentics concept previews a C-segment vehicle for the Chinese market. A good move, too, since that segment has the highest volume in the Chinese market. (That's why automakers like Ford, for example, have more than one offering in the class.) If we're honest, the Authentics concept looks a bit "meh" for our tastes - there isn't a whole lot of emotion going on here with the design. Consider it a competitor for that spiffy new Ford Escort that also took the stage here in Shanghai.

We don't have any more details about the Authentics concept at the moment, but considering the fact that Suzuki has officially exited the US market, at least we don't have to worry about this thing showing up on our shores anytime soon.

Continue reading Suzuki Authentics Concept is genuine but drab

Suzuki Authentics Concept is genuine but drab originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 20 Apr 2013 13:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> 2013 shanghai motor showshanghaishanghai motor showsuzukisuzuki authentics concept Sat, 20 Apr 2013 13:59:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20546137/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20546137/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/20/suzuki-authentics-concept-shanghai-2013/20546137/article-detail.xml 20546137 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/628-suzuki-aesthetics-concept-shanghai_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/628-suzuki-aesthetics-concept-shanghai.jpg <![CDATA[Court approves Suzuki bankruptcy plan]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/05/court-approves-suzuki-bankruptcy-plan/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/05/court-approves-suzuki-bankruptcy-plan/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/05/court-approves-suzuki-bankruptcy-plan/#comments Filed under: ,

Suzuki Emblem

Suzuki has won approval for its Chapter 11 plan to stop selling cars in the US and concentrate instead on the company's powersports products. Judge Scott C. Clarkson of the US Bankruptcy Court for the Central District of California approved the plan after the company's creditors agreed to the conditions.

Suzuki will now sell its motorcycle, ATV and marine divisions to the newly minted Suzuki Motor of America subsidiary under the Suzuki name. The new company will be wholly owned by Suzuki Motor Company. This is the final piece of the company's restructuring puzzle.

The company says it will now be able to grow its powersports businesses here in the US and also provide auto parts and service to current Suzuki owners through what's left of the company's dealer network. You can check out the brief press release on the bankruptcy plan below.

Continue reading Court approves Suzuki bankruptcy plan

Court approves Suzuki bankruptcy plan originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 05 Apr 2013 09:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> bankruptcychapter 11suzukisuzuki bankruptcy Fri, 05 Apr 2013 09:28:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20529959/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20529959/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/05/court-approves-suzuki-bankruptcy-plan/20529959/article-detail.xml 20529959 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/suzuki-emblem-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/suzuki-emblem-628.jpg <![CDATA[Suzuki offers sneak peek at Authentics concept for Shanghai]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/31/suzuki-offers-sneak-peek-at-authentics-concept-for-shanghai/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/31/suzuki-offers-sneak-peek-at-authentics-concept-for-shanghai/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/31/suzuki-offers-sneak-peek-at-authentics-concept-for-shanghai/#comments Filed under: , , , , ,



Suzuki has prepared the C-segment Authentics concept for the Shanghai Motor Show, a preview of a sedan that would slot into the fattest chunk of the market among China's car buyers. Suzuki hasn't given away much, saying only that it is "Sporty x Elegant" and that it's long and low and has a "rich and fine curved surface."

PaulTan.org says this is the trunked version of the SX4 crossover, and if that's the case then it would represent a new approach to the SX4 in the region, offering markedly different styling instead of being, literally, an SX4 with a trunk. We'll know more when the Shanghai show opens in a couple of weeks, for now there's a press release with a tad more info on Suzuki's plans just below.

Continue reading Suzuki offers sneak peek at Authentics concept for Shanghai

Suzuki offers sneak peek at Authentics concept for Shanghai originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 31 Mar 2013 12:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> shanghaishanghai 2013shanghai motor showsuzukisuzuki authenticssuzuki authentics conceptsuzuki sx4 Sun, 31 Mar 2013 12:57:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20523773/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20523773/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/03/31/suzuki-offers-sneak-peek-at-authentics-concept-for-shanghai/20523773/article-detail.xml 20523773 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/suzukiauthentics_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/suzukiauthentics.jpg <![CDATA[Four seniors to drive around world in pair of Suzuki Jimny SUVs for charity]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/29/four-seniors-to-drive-around-world-in-pair-of-suzuki-jimny-suvs/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/29/four-seniors-to-drive-around-world-in-pair-of-suzuki-jimny-suvs/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/29/four-seniors-to-drive-around-world-in-pair-of-suzuki-jimny-suvs/#comments Filed under: , , , ,

The Ultimate Challenge Suzuki Jimny

Plenty of us here at Autoblog have designs for epic drives. Whether it's bouncing around the country in an old International or heading from Alaska to Chile on a bike, we like to think we have big aspirations. Or at least we did until we heard about these four gentlemen. You see, Leslie George Carvall, Alan Butler, Glyn Maher and Charles Scott are all in their 70's, and they plan to pile into a pair of Suzuki Jimny SUVs and drive around the world. Sort of makes a hike across country seem like a trip down the block to the local corner store. They're calling it "The Ultimate Challenge," and they plan to undertake the journey for two reasons.

First, they want to prove that age shouldn't stand in the way of people doing what they want to do. Second, the group hopes to raise funds for the 'Heaven Can Wait I'm Busy' group, which aims to direct money toward worthy charities both in the UK and around the world. Save the Children and Oakhaven Hospice are the two currently designated charities.

The trip gets started in just three days, and you can head over to the effort's site to track their progress. The route should cover some 16,500 road miles and 10,375 sea miles. You can also catch up with the project on Facebook.

Four seniors to drive around world in pair of Suzuki Jimny SUVs for charity originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 29 Mar 2013 07:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> drive around the worldheaven can wait im busysuzukisuzuki jimnythe ultimate challenge Fri, 29 Mar 2013 07:58:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20519861/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20519861/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/03/29/four-seniors-to-drive-around-world-in-pair-of-suzuki-jimny-suvs/20519861/article-detail.xml 20519861 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/the-ultimate-challenge-01-1364394430_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/the-ultimate-challenge-01-1364394430.jpg <![CDATA[Suzuki ending auto sales in Canada, too]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/27/suzuki-ending-auto-sales-in-canada-too/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/27/suzuki-ending-auto-sales-in-canada-too/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/27/suzuki-ending-auto-sales-in-canada-too/#comments Filed under: , , ,

2010 Suzuki Kizashi Sport - front three-quarter view, red

Suzuki of Japan has reportedly made the decision that almost everyone assumed it would make when it announced it was leaving the US market: when the 2014 model year concludes, it will no longer sell cars in Canada. With six employees overseeing its auto business in Canada and a dealer network that has shrunk to 55 outlets in the country, we can't say we're shocked.

At the time of the US announcement, however, the senior VP of sales and marketing in the automotive division of Suzuki Canada said it would be able to survive on its own because, among other reasons, Canadians prefer smaller, more fuel-efficient cars that fit the company's offerings. Five months later, after some time to think about a 30-percent drop in sales to open up 2013 instead of the 1.4-percent increase in sales that Suzuki Canada posted last year, things have evidently changed.

The Globe and Mail reports that as is in the US, Suzuki's motorcycle, ATV and marine divisions in Canada will remain.

Suzuki ending auto sales in Canada, too originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 27 Mar 2013 09:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> canadachapter 11suzukisuzuki bankruptcysuzuki canadasuzuki chapter 11suzuki closing Wed, 27 Mar 2013 09:52:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20519003/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20519003/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/03/27/suzuki-ending-auto-sales-in-canada-too/20519003/article-detail.xml 20519003 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/suzukicanada_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/suzukicanada.jpg <![CDATA[2013 Suzuki SX4 gets new generation to carry on without us [w/video]]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/06/2013-suzuki-sx4-video-geneva-2013/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/06/2013-suzuki-sx4-video-geneva-2013/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/06/2013-suzuki-sx4-video-geneva-2013/#comments Filed under: , , , , , ,

2013 Suzuki SX4 - live on show stand at 2013 Geneva Motor Show

Despite the fact that the coffin has been sealed on Suzuki's US automotive arm, the brand is carrying on elsewhere in the world. The first new product to spearhead the Japanese automaker's product offerings in Europe is this SX4 crossover, making its official debut here at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show. You may remember the little SX4 as the cheapest all-wheel-drive car on sale in the US, packing cute styling and efficient, affordable packaging. And it doesn't appear that the formula has changed too much for this new generation, despite what we think are less attractive new duds derived from Suzuki's 2012 S Cross Concept.

The new SX4 is powered by a choice of two 1.6-liter engines - one diesel, one petrol - the former mated to a six-speed manual transmission while the latter uses a CVT with a "seven-speed manual mode" operated by steering wheel-mounted paddles. All-wheel drive remains intact on the SX4, now with four driver-selectable modes and the Allgrip name.

Suzuki is touting the SX4 as having the world's first double sliding glass sunroof, offering "the largest opening areas" in the segment. Overall, the updated interior looks nicely designed and quite functional, though not exactly a shining beacon of refinement.

Take a look at the new SX4 in our pair of high-res image galleries above and below, and scroll down to view the SX4 in action and check out the official press release.

Continue reading 2013 Suzuki SX4 gets new generation to carry on without us [w/video]

2013 Suzuki SX4 gets new generation to carry on without us [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 06 Mar 2013 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> 2013 suzuki sx4genevageneva 2013geneva motor showsuzukisx-4sx4video Wed, 06 Mar 2013 07:00:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20490579/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20490579/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/03/06/2013-suzuki-sx4-video-geneva-2013/20490579/article-detail.xml 20490579 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/2013-suzuki-sx4-geneva_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/2013-suzuki-sx4-geneva.jpg <![CDATA[Suzuki Chapter 11 bankruptcy plans approved by US court]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/05/suzuki-chapter-11-bankruptcy-plans-approved-by-us-court/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/05/suzuki-chapter-11-bankruptcy-plans-approved-by-us-court/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/05/suzuki-chapter-11-bankruptcy-plans-approved-by-us-court/#comments Filed under: , ,

Suzuki Kizashi

It's pretty much a done-deal now, folks. A US bankruptcy judge has approved Suzuki's plans to wind down its operations in the States. As part of Suzuki's Chapter 11 proceedings, its automotive unit will cease to exist in the US, leaving the motorcycle, ATV and marine units to function as Suzuki Motor of America.

It's not clear how many vehicles are left on the 219 remaining Suzuki dealership lots - the company reported sales of 1,764 in February - but the automaker has assured customers that warranty service and parts will remain available. Suzuki made an investment of $45 million to ensure its past and current customers aren't completely left in repair-work limbo.

Check out the complete announcement from Suzuki below for more information, and please join us in mourning the loss of the Kizashi sedan and SX4 hatch, two vehicles we are legitimately going to miss when this whole sordid affair is done and over with.

Continue reading Suzuki Chapter 11 bankruptcy plans approved by US court

Suzuki Chapter 11 bankruptcy plans approved by US court originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 05 Mar 2013 06:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> bankruptcysuzukisuzuki america bankruptcysuzuki bankruptcy Tue, 05 Mar 2013 06:58:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20487280/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20487280/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/03/05/suzuki-chapter-11-bankruptcy-plans-approved-by-us-court/20487280/article-detail.xml 20487280 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/suzuki-kizashi_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/suzuki-kizashi.jpg <![CDATA[Suzuki teases production C-segment crossover, could it have saved them in US?]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/06/suzuki-teases-production-c-segment-crossover-could-it-have-save/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/06/suzuki-teases-production-c-segment-crossover-could-it-have-save/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/06/suzuki-teases-production-c-segment-crossover-could-it-have-save/#comments Filed under: , , ,

Suzuki c-segment crossover teaser for Geneva

Suzuki may be retreating (amidst booming sales) from the US market, but its efforts to woo European buyers are still going strong. Witness as proof these shadowy teaser images of the automaker's new C-segment crossover that it plans to unveil at the Geneva Motor Show next month.

Until the official debut, we've got just a few tidbits of information to report about the upcoming Suzuki. We're told, and can see, that the car has been modeled on the S-Cross concept car from the 2012 Paris Motor Show. Quite a bit of translation has happened, however, from show car to production form, as we see that the sweeping greenhouse of the S-Cross has been ditched in favor of a traditional pillared setup, large LEDs have moved from the lower front fascia to under the headlamps, and the grille is now much more in line with the rest of Suzuki's current range. The crossover is still painted in a faintly froggish shade of green, though, so the weirdness hasn't been completely leeched out.

We're also informed that the new C-segment offering will have an available a four-wheel-drive powertrain and one of the largest luggage areas in the segment. All of which strikes us as good stuff, but we're still not convinced that this unnamed entrant could have turned the Japanese automaker's fortunes in North America - even if it would have competed in one of the industry's fastest-growing segments. Feel free to read over Suzuki's brief press release below and look at the images before speculating for yourself in Comments.

Continue reading Suzuki teases production C-segment crossover, could it have saved them in US?

Suzuki teases production C-segment crossover, could it have saved them in US? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 06 Feb 2013 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> 2013 geneva motor showgeneva 2013geneva motor shows-crosssuzukisuzuki c-segment crossoversuzuki s-cross concept Wed, 06 Feb 2013 13:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20450337/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20450337/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/02/06/suzuki-teases-production-c-segment-crossover-could-it-have-save/20450337/article-detail.xml 20450337 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/suzuki-c-segment-crossover-teaser-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/suzuki-c-segment-crossover-teaser-628.jpg <![CDATA[This is the facelifted Suzuki SX4 that we won't get]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/05/this-is-the-facelifted-suzuki-sx4-that-we-wont-get/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/05/this-is-the-facelifted-suzuki-sx4-that-we-wont-get/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/05/this-is-the-facelifted-suzuki-sx4-that-we-wont-get/#comments Filed under: , , , , ,

Suzuki SX4 facelift

The car you see above is, according to China Car Times, the facelifted Suzuki SX4 crossover. We've always had a soft spot for the SX4, so the fact that it's finally getting a significant update makes us a wee bit sad - after all, Suzuki just announced late last year that it's leaving the US market, so we'll never get this upgraded little 'ute on our shores.

Changes we can see include aggressively resculpted lighting units, interesting mold lines on the front bumper cap, redesigned air intakes and unique trim fillets on the doors.

At least we can take solace in the fact that there apparently aren't any significant alterations under the new bodywork, so our crop of used SX4s should be just as capable out on the road. In China, Suzuki's 1.6- and 1.8-liter four-cylinder engines are expected to carry over to the new year, along with the current model's CVT and manual drivelines.

Here's hoping Suzuki finds more success in China than it did in the States.

This is the facelifted Suzuki SX4 that we won't get originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 05 Feb 2013 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> 2014 suzuki sx4changan suzukichinasuzukisuzuki sx4 faceliftsx-4sx4 Tue, 05 Feb 2013 14:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20449172/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20449172/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/02/05/this-is-the-facelifted-suzuki-sx4-that-we-wont-get/20449172/article-detail.xml 20449172 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/sx4-facelift_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/sx4-facelift.jpg <![CDATA[IIHS says these are the safest cars of 2013]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/02/iihs-says-these-are-the-safest-cars-of-2013/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/02/iihs-says-these-are-the-safest-cars-of-2013/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/02/iihs-says-these-are-the-safest-cars-of-2013/#comments Filed under: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

2013 Honda Accord V6 Coupe - red - front three-quarter view

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has revealed its annual list of Top Safety Picks, an award that highlights automobiles it says offer "superior crash protection." A new and still more significant award, the Top Safety Pick+ honor, is given to those vehicles that earn good ratings for occupant protection in four out of five areas of measure. And while some 117 vehicles were given the TSP seal of approval for 2013, just 13 passed muster for TSP+.

To be fair, IIHS only evaluated 29 vehicles with its new testing procedures for TSP+ (we'd expect that the number of qualified cars will rise substantially for 2014). Luxury and Near Luxury midsize cars were the first groups evaluated, followed by midsizers in the Moderately Priced Cars category - unsurprisingly, it's only midsize cars that you'll find among the class this year.

Only two luxury sedans made the list of 13 for 2013: the Acura TL and Volvo S60. The other 11 cars on the list included entries from domestic, Japanese and German car makers: Dodge Avenger, Chrysler 200, Ford Fusion, Honda Accord (sedan and coupe), Kia Optima (but not its close kin, the Hyundai Sonata, strangely), Nissan Altima, Subaru Legacy and Outback, Suzuki Kizashi and the Volkswagen Passat all made the grade.

Scroll down below for the full IIHS press release, and some more information about the methodology behind the institute's new Top Safety Pick+ testing.

Continue reading IIHS says these are the safest cars of 2013

IIHS says these are the safest cars of 2013 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 Jan 2013 19:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> 2002013 iihs top safety pickaccordaccord coupeacuraaltimaauto safetyavengerchryslerdodgefordfusionhondaiihsinsurance institute for highway safetykiakizashilegacynissaoptimaoutbackpassats60subarusuzukitltop safety picktop safety pick+volkswagenvolvo Wed, 02 Jan 2013 19:15:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20414992/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20414992/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/01/02/iihs-says-these-are-the-safest-cars-of-2013/20414992/article-detail.xml 20414992 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/iihs-top-safety-picks-2013-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/iihs-top-safety-picks-2013-628.jpg <![CDATA[Suzuki recalling 2,800 XL7 models over faulty fuel pump]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/29/suzuki-recalling-2-800-xl7-models-over-faulty-fuel-pump/ http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/29/suzuki-recalling-2-800-xl7-models-over-faulty-fuel-pump/ http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/29/suzuki-recalling-2-800-xl7-models-over-faulty-fuel-pump/#comments Filed under: , , ,



A recall has been issued for the 2007 Suzuki XL7, but only those vehicles either bought or registered in four states: Texas, Arizona, California and Nevada. Potentially 2,380 of the SUVs manufactured from June 13, 2006 to December 22, 2006 could have an issue with their fuel pump modules: The plastic supply or return port could crack. If that happens, it could lead to a fuel leak and then to a fire.

Suzuki hasn't said when the recall will begin. Once it does, owners will be notified and can have their dealers make the necessary repairs free of charge. There's a bulletin from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration below with more information.

Continue reading Suzuki recalling 2,800 XL7 models over faulty fuel pump

Suzuki recalling 2,800 XL7 models over faulty fuel pump originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 29 Dec 2012 15:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> 2007 suzuki xl7National Highway Traffic Safety Administrationnhtsarecallsafetysuzukixl7 Sat, 29 Dec 2012 15:05:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20412781/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20412781/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/12/29/suzuki-recalling-2-800-xl7-models-over-faulty-fuel-pump/20412781/article-detail.xml 20412781 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/12/xl7recall_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/12/xl7recall.jpg <![CDATA[Suzuki demand in US rises after bankruptcy]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/26/suzuki-demand-in-us-rises-after-bankruptcy/ http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/26/suzuki-demand-in-us-rises-after-bankruptcy/ http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/26/suzuki-demand-in-us-rises-after-bankruptcy/#comments Filed under: , ,



Following word that Suzuki is ceasing car sales in America, it appears that demand for the Japanese automaker's wares have increased. According to The Detroit News, American Suzuki Motor Corp. will import an additional 2,500 vehicles to quench demand that has jumped since the company announced that it was filing for bankruptcy and ending sales in America.

Dealers recently informed their sales personnel that no more vehicles would be produced and that this was the final push. With heavy incentives and a seven-year warranty as value-adds, November sales for Suzuki rose in November some 22 percent, up to 2,224 vehicles. December sales also rose, but neither month's gains outweigh the long-term losses for the automaker. While Suzuki will sell roughly 22,000 cars this year in the US, it was selling about 120,000 annually before 2008.

As it stands, Suzuki will sell off the rest of its vehicle inventory, including the 2,500 additional units, and dealers will continue to provide parts an warranty work. With all of this negative news for the automaker, it's impressive to see an interest in Suzuki vehicles even with the imminent shuttering of its North American car sales.

Suzuki demand in US rises after bankruptcy originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 26 Dec 2012 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> chapter 11suzukisuzuki bankruptcysuzuki motor americathe detroit news Wed, 26 Dec 2012 16:30:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20411309/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20411309/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/12/26/suzuki-demand-in-us-rises-after-bankruptcy/20411309/article-detail.xml 20411309 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/12/first-drive-2010-suzuki-kizashi-sport_thumbnail.jpeg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/12/first-drive-2010-suzuki-kizashi-sport.jpeg <![CDATA[Happy Holidays from <i>Autoblog</i>!]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/25/happy-holidays-from-autoblog/ http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/25/happy-holidays-from-autoblog/ http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/25/happy-holidays-from-autoblog/#comments Filed under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Santa drives a BMW?

We'd like to take a moment to wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas from the team at Autoblog! We hope that your Yuletide is filled with surprise and delight, loved ones and friends, food and drink and safe travels wherever you're going. (A fun car on a twisty road to Grandma's house wouldn't go amiss, either.)

And now, for some completely gratuitous winter-weather fun, take a leisurely browse through our seasonally correct gallery of cars dashing through the snow. (A hearty thanks to our photographer friends at the automakers of the world, who make snowy shots like this a fun reality.)

Happy Holidays from Autoblog! originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 25 Dec 2012 08:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> cars in snowchristmasmerry christmas Tue, 25 Dec 2012 08:59:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20410703/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20410703/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/12/25/happy-holidays-from-autoblog/20410703/article-detail.xml 20410703 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/12/santa-bmw_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/12/santa-bmw.jpg <![CDATA[It's a hard knock life for a Nürburgring rental car]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/12/its-a-hard-knock-life-for-a-nurburgring-rental-car/ http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/12/its-a-hard-knock-life-for-a-nurburgring-rental-car/ http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/12/its-a-hard-knock-life-for-a-nurburgring-rental-car/#comments Filed under: , , ,



Rental cars get no respect. They're abused, misused and flogged mercilessly as athletes in Rental Car Olympics. And that's just at your everyday airport rental counter. The torture gets extreme for rental cars thrashed around Germany's infamous Nürburgring.

Rent4Ring expects its customers to drive its cars around the 'Ring with enthusiasm and, in some cases, less skill than the pros. Rent4Ring just recently retired its Suzuki Swift Sport from its fleet and shared the car's two-year-plus lifetime highlights.

The little hatchback made more than 2,800 laps of the 'Ring over three seasons amounting to more than 310,000 miles driven by 457 different drivers. "Some were fast, some were slow. Some were nice to the car, a few were frankly awful," says a Rent4Ring rep.

One of those drivers pegged the tachometer at a record (for this Swift, at least) 8761 rpm. The car did about 600 hours of spirited driving, and endured 168,000 gear changes for 180 million engine revolutions.

All that lead-foot levity came at the cost of only two clutches, 27 front brake pads, three brake fluid flushes, a new wheel bearing, a new alternator and battery, 52 Toyo 888 tires and four Goodyear Eagle F1s. About 1,847 gallons of 98-octane go juice.

To the Suzuki's credit, Rent4Ring says the car was never mechanically broken or crashed. Not only does it still drive like new, it still dyno's at 133bhp. The car isn't being scrapped or stuck on a used car lot somewhere but instead was bought by a Rent4Ring customer and should get several more Nürburgring laps before it goes to that big garage in the sky.

It's a hard knock life for a Nürburgring rental car originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 12 Dec 2012 10:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> nurburgringnurburgring rental carsrent4ringrental carssuzukiswiftswift sport Wed, 12 Dec 2012 10:15:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20399947/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20399947/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/12/12/its-a-hard-knock-life-for-a-nurburgring-rental-car/20399947/article-detail.xml 20399947 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/12/suzuki-swift-sport-rent4ring_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/12/suzuki-swift-sport-rent4ring.jpg <![CDATA[American Suzuki gets $100M in financing to go out of business... buy more cars?]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/07/american-suzuki-gets-100m-in-financing-to-go-out-of-business/ http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/07/american-suzuki-gets-100m-in-financing-to-go-out-of-business/ http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/07/american-suzuki-gets-100m-in-financing-to-go-out-of-business/#comments Filed under: , ,



American Suzuki Motor Corporation (ASMC), which declared bankruptcy in early November, has been approved by the courts for up to $100 million in debtor-in-possession financing to enable it to shutter its US car business. ASMC had received a $45 million loan from the Japanese parent company, Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC), last month in order to make repayment deals with its franchise dealers. At the same time, ASMC was awaiting final court approval of this larger loan.

Out of the newly approved funds, $50 million can be used for operations, and oddly, the other $50 million can be put toward purchases of new inventory from SMC. That's right, even as existing inventory was headed for a smooth exit with the help of incentives, customer demand for orphan Suzuki models is so strong - last month's sales were up 22 percent compared to 2011 - that ASMC plans to purchase 2,500 additional cars from SMC that were built after the bankruptcy announcement. Good news for the owners of those vehicles: the top 50 dealers, representing more than 98 percent of ASMC sales, will become parts and services centers.

The press release below has more information. Unlike its recent tenure here, the end of Suzuki cars in the US looks like it's going rather well.

Continue reading American Suzuki gets $100M in financing to go out of business... buy more cars?

American Suzuki gets $100M in financing to go out of business... buy more cars? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 07 Dec 2012 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> asmcbankruptcybankruptcy courtsuzukisuzuki bankruptcysuzuki cars Fri, 07 Dec 2012 13:30:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20396669/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20396669/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/12/07/american-suzuki-gets-100m-in-financing-to-go-out-of-business/20396669/article-detail.xml 20396669 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/12/asmcbankloan_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/12/asmcbankloan.jpg <![CDATA[<i>Car and Driver</i> lists 10Best for 2013, same as it ever was]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/05/car-and-driver-lists-10best-for-2013-same-as-it-ever-was/ http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/05/car-and-driver-lists-10best-for-2013-same-as-it-ever-was/ http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/05/car-and-driver-lists-10best-for-2013-same-as-it-ever-was/#comments Filed under: , , , , , , , ,



Forgive us for having the distinct feeling of déjà vu, but it certainly feels like we've been here before. By that we are referring Car and Driver and the announcement of its annual 10Best vehicles for 2013. To be sure, it's an impressive selection of cars that combine heart-pounding performance and frugal sensibilities, but it also represents something of a broken record on the part of C/D. We're not so sure that's a flaw, though, as the resulting list is tough to argue with.

Vehicles like the Ford Mustang, Porsche Boxster, and BMW 3 Series have maintained their high-horsepower spots on this list for several years now. Even on the more practical and nimble end, the Honda Accord, Honda Fit and Mazda Miata have not budged. These continued spots are even in light of redesigns for some vehicles such as the Accord, Boxster and 3 Series.

In fact, the only newcomer to the 10Best list this year are the Scion FR-S/Subaru BRZ twins, which knocked out the Cadillac CTS-V. We think it would have been a huge misstep to have excluded the FR-S/BRZ, even in light of the supercharged Caddy's lamentable departure from 10Best.

Without further ado, here are 2012 Car and Driver 10Best winners:

After perusing our gallery of the winners, bounce on over to Car and Driver to check out the full 10Best roundup, along with a collection of videos on each car. Be sure to let us know in Comments what you think of this year's list!

Car and Driver lists 10Best for 2013, same as it ever was originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 05 Dec 2012 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> 10 best10best3 seriesa6a7accordaudibmwboxsterbrzcar and drivercar and driver 10 bestfitfocusfocus stfordfr-sgolfgtihondamazdamiatamustangmustang boss 302mx-5 miatas6s7vw golf Wed, 05 Dec 2012 13:30:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20394696/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20394696/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/12/05/car-and-driver-lists-10best-for-2013-same-as-it-ever-was/20394696/article-detail.xml 20394696 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/12/2013-honda-accord-ex-l-sedan-1354717181_thumbnail.jpeg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/12/2013-honda-accord-ex-l-sedan-1354717181.jpeg <![CDATA[Incentives aid smooth Suzuki wind down]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/04/incentives-aid-smooth-suzuki-wind-down/ http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/04/incentives-aid-smooth-suzuki-wind-down/ http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/04/incentives-aid-smooth-suzuki-wind-down/#comments Filed under: , , ,

Suzuki Emblem

American Suzuki is continuing to offer buyers substantial incentives even as the company winds down operations. Those looking to nab a new Suzuki vehicle will find rebates of between $500 and $2,000 and zero-percent financing for up to 72 months as dealers look to liquidate inventory following the automaker's filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection last month. The strategy is working so far. Last month saw Suzuki sell a total of 2,224 vehicles, up 22 percent compared to the same time period in 2011. The Japanese manufacturer says it will continue the incentives through December.

Suzuki had around 5,000 units in dealer inventory in the US when it went into bankruptcy protection, with an additional 1,500-1,700 vehicles headed to dealers at that time. The company says it will continue to honor warranties moving forward using its current dealer network. Most of the dealerships will become Suzuki service and parts stores after American Suzuki shutters car sales in the US.

Incentives aid smooth Suzuki wind down originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 04 Dec 2012 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> bankruptcyincentivessuzukisuzuki bankruptcysuzuki incentives Tue, 04 Dec 2012 13:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20393653/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20393653/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/12/04/incentives-aid-smooth-suzuki-wind-down/20393653/article-detail.xml 20393653 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/12/suzuki-emblem-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/12/suzuki-emblem-628.jpg <![CDATA[Suzuki Samurai lives on with new Jimny facelift]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/15/suzuki-samurai-lives-on-with-new-jimny-facelift/ http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/15/suzuki-samurai-lives-on-with-new-jimny-facelift/ http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/15/suzuki-samurai-lives-on-with-new-jimny-facelift/#comments Filed under: , , , ,



The Suzuki Jimny is "sold across 188 global markets," but one of them isn't ours. For UK buyers who can buy a Jimny in SZ3 or SZ4 trims, the 2013 model has just been introduced with tweaks peppered throughout the vehicle. First among them is a soft redesign up front, a new bumper, grille and hood updating the face and adding an extra 30 mm to the length of the little SUV. Breeze Blue metallic paint is a new hue but it's only available on the more expensive SZ4.

Inside, customers will find new headrests and ISOFIX child seat fasteners for both Jimny versions, and for the SZ3, new seat fabrics. The 1.3-liter engine with variable valve timing growls out 84 horsepower and 81 pound-feet of torque, returning 39.8 Imperial combined mpg if fitted with a manual, 38.7 Imperial mpg combined in the automatic.

On-the-road prices are £11,995 ($19,016 US) for the SZ3, £12,900 ($20,451 US) for the manual-equipped SZ4, £13,800 ($21,877 US) with the automatic. More information can be found in the press release below.

Continue reading Suzuki Samurai lives on with new Jimny facelift

Suzuki Samurai lives on with new Jimny facelift originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 15 Nov 2012 08:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> 2013 suzuki jimnyjimnysamuraisuzuki Thu, 15 Nov 2012 08:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20380201/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20380201/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/11/15/suzuki-samurai-lives-on-with-new-jimny-facelift/20380201/article-detail.xml 20380201 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/2013suzukijimny_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/2013suzukijimny.jpg <![CDATA[Suzuki has to take out $45M loan just to shutter US dealers]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/08/suzuki-has-to-take-out-45m-loan-just-to-shutter-us-dealers/ http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/08/suzuki-has-to-take-out-45m-loan-just-to-shutter-us-dealers/ http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/08/suzuki-has-to-take-out-45m-loan-just-to-shutter-us-dealers/#comments Filed under: , ,

Suzuki Emblem

Bloomberg reports American Suzuki is set to borrow up to $45 million to to close its automotive dealerships and freshen up its it motorcycle and marine business. Suzuki Motor Corporation will loan American Suzuki the funds at three percent below the London Interbank offered rate in order to offer dealer owners a cash payment in exchange for voluntarily abandoning franchise agreements. The company's 216 dealers have 10 days to make a decision on the matter. Under the plan, Suzuki would give dealer owners half of what they're owed in one lump sum, and the dealers would then be able to pursue the remaining debt through the company's bankruptcy procedure.

U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Scott C. Clarkson granted American Suzuki interim authority to borrow the funds, but Bloomberg reports the company will likely return to court in a few weeks to seek up to $100 million. According to Richard Pachulski, a lawyer for Suzuki America, the automaker may owe its dealers somewhere around $50 million.

Suzuki has to take out $45M loan just to shutter US dealers originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 08 Nov 2012 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> american suzukibankruptcysuzukisuzuki bankruptcysuzuki dealerssuzuki loansuzuki motor corporation Thu, 08 Nov 2012 16:30:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20374306/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20374306/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/11/08/suzuki-has-to-take-out-45m-loan-just-to-shutter-us-dealers/20374306/article-detail.xml 20374306 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/suzuki-emblem-628-1352395975_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/suzuki-emblem-628-1352395975.jpg <![CDATA[Remembering Suzuki of America... in commercials]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/07/remembering-suzuki-of-america-in-commercials/ http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/07/remembering-suzuki-of-america-in-commercials/ http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/07/remembering-suzuki-of-america-in-commercials/#comments Filed under: , , , ,

Suzuki X90 Pez

American Suzuki Motors is leaving us, but as long as the lights are on at YouTube, its commercials will stay behind to remind of the times we shared. We dug up nine commercials - sort of like a Time Life infomercial for an entire brand - and among the starring actors are the X-90 improving the 90s with the help of a Pez dispenser, the Peter Pan-ish Sidekick, Optimus Prime getting his pipes all smoked up over the 1987 Samurai and an XL7 that would have sold in the millions if its commercial were even half true.

We've also included a remarkably oddball eight-minute featurette/commercial about a giant Suzuki Swift. You'll find the retrospective in the videos below. Enjoy.

Continue reading Remembering Suzuki of America... in commercials

Remembering Suzuki of America... in commercials originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 07 Nov 2012 19:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> commercialgrand vitarakizashipezsamuraisidekicksuzukiswiftsx4videox-90x90xl7 Wed, 07 Nov 2012 19:59:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20373253/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20373253/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/11/07/remembering-suzuki-of-america-in-commercials/20373253/article-detail.xml 20373253 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/suzuki-x90-pez_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/suzuki-x90-pez.jpg -1 2