Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Nissan small car program left out in the cold after VW-Suzuki deal?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/02/15/nissan-small-car-program-left-out-in-the-cold-after-vw-suzuki-de/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/02/15/nissan-small-car-program-left-out-in-the-cold-after-vw-suzuki-de/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/02/15/nissan-small-car-program-left-out-in-the-cold-after-vw-suzuki-de/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



Nissan got turned out of the Chrysler house after Fiat bought the Pentastar, which ended Nissan's hopes for a jointly developed replacement for the Nissan Titan. while it's busy doing the O Solo Mio routine on the coming 2014 Titan, another potential blow to the Japanese brand is coming at the other end of the market: superminis.

Suzuki provides its Indian-market Alto for Nissan to sell in Europe as the Pixo. But with Volkwsagen recently taking a majority stake in Suzuki, many are wondering if the Pixo spigot will be turned off. The Pixo competes with Volkswagen Lupo, seemingly giving the German firm a bit of motivation to end the deal, but nevertheless, no one at Suzuki or VW has spoken on the matter.

Nissan knows it can't give up the shallow end of the market, especially with the supermini segment getting more crowded and more popular with buyers. However, Nissan already receives fewer Altos than it wants, and with VW already considering 35 joint projects with Suzuki - and Nissan certain to benefit from none of them - now could be a good day to start looking for a new small car partner regardless of the Pixo decision.

[Source: BusinessWeek]

Nissan small car program left out in the cold after VW-Suzuki deal? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 15 Feb 2010 17:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>nissan pixonissan suzukiNissanPixoNissanSuzukisuzuki altoSuzukiAltovolkswagen suzukiVolkswagenSuzukivw suzukiVwSuzukiMon, 15 Feb 2010 17:28:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19357594/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/02/15/nissan-small-car-program-left-out-in-the-cold-after-vw-suzuki-de/19357594/article-detail.xml 19357594 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/02/nissansuzukitie_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/02/nissansuzukitie.jpg <![CDATA[Tokyo 2009: Where's the history?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/23/tokyo-2009-wheres-the-history/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/23/tokyo-2009-wheres-the-history/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/23/tokyo-2009-wheres-the-history/#commentsFiled under: ,

Historic cars of Tokyo -- Click above for high-res image gallery

We were frankly astounded that the prospect of a gutted Tokyo Motor Show didn't get any maker, save one, to trot out some of their historical home runs. Even if they didn't want to go in for a nostalgia-fest, a few brands could have at least peppered the show with some of Japan's seminal machinery. After all, if you're not going to give us anything really new and exciting, you could at least let us have some fun with the past.

But no. The only historic machine at an automaker's booth was a vintage Suzuki Alto near the new Alto Concept. Otherwise, nada. The other vintage machinery - a 1917 Mitsubishi A, a Toyota GT HYBD (a Sports 800 gas-turbine hybrid), and a Honda Accord CVCC - were in the "motor lounge" seating area. A big, fat raspberry is all we have to say to that. So for your viewing pleasure, feast your eyes on the historic cars of the Tokyo Motor Show in the high-res gallery below. All four of them.


Gallery: Tokyo 2009: The Historics


Photos copyright (C)2009 Jonathon Ramsey / Weblogs, Inc.

Tokyo 2009: Where's the history? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 23 Oct 2009 10:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>classichonda accord cvccHondaAccordCvccmitsubishi aMitsubishiAsuzuki altoSuzukiAltotokyotokyo 2009Tokyo Motor ShowTokyo2009TokyoMotorShowtoyota gttoyota gt hybdToyotaGtToyotaGtHybdvintageFri, 23 Oct 2009 10:59:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19206439/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/10/23/tokyo-2009-wheres-the-history/19206439/article-detail.xml 19206439 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/10/toy_gt_hybd_tok_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/10/toy_gt_hybd_tok.jpg <![CDATA[Tokyo 2009: Suzuki Alto Concept tries to be a cooler kei]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/22/tokyo-2009-suzuki-alto-concept-tries-to-be-a-cooler-kei/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/22/tokyo-2009-suzuki-alto-concept-tries-to-be-a-cooler-kei/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/22/tokyo-2009-suzuki-alto-concept-tries-to-be-a-cooler-kei/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Suzuki Alto Concept -- Click above for high-res image gallery

The Suzuki Alto concept is The Kei You Would Never Suspect: unassuming looks belie the fact that this is car Suzuki is going to use to reach a wider audience. The exterior - which, frankly, looks like a ton of other itty bitty already plying on Japan's streets -- has been subtly tweaked to subtly lure in male and female buyers in a wider age group than the current car attracts.

According to the company, the Alto concept "points to the future of the minivehicle by combining newly honed performance with minivehicle economy and user-friendliness," with "styling that appeals to people regardless of age and gender."

Although officially labeled as a concept, the three-cylinder Alto is expected on the roads next year and an all-wheel-drive version is also on the way. Decide on the Alto for yourself with the help of the high-res gallery below and the press release after the break.


Gallery: Tokyo 2009: Suzuki Alto Concept


Photos copyright (C)2009 Jonathon Ramsey / Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading Tokyo 2009: Suzuki Alto Concept tries to be a cooler kei

Tokyo 2009: Suzuki Alto Concept tries to be a cooler kei originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 22 Oct 2009 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alternative energyAlternativeEnergyalto conceptAltoConceptbudgetconcept carConceptCarhatchbacksuzuki altoSuzuki Alto ConceptSuzukiAltoSuzukiAltoConcepttokyotokyo 2009tokyo auto showTokyo Motor ShowTokyo2009TokyoAutoShowTokyoMotorShowThu, 22 Oct 2009 07:00:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19205068/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/10/22/tokyo-2009-suzuki-alto-concept-tries-to-be-a-cooler-kei/19205068/article-detail.xml 19205068 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/10/suzuki_alto_concept_tok_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/10/suzuki_alto_concept_tok.jpg <![CDATA[Suzuki Maruti Alto to debut in Paris]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/08/suzuki-maruti-alto-to-debut-in-paris/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/08/suzuki-maruti-alto-to-debut-in-paris/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/08/suzuki-maruti-alto-to-debut-in-paris/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Click above for two high-res shots of the new Suzuki Alto

Suzuki will bring its seventh-generation Alto to the Paris Motor Show this October, featuring stylistic and powertrain upgrades to compete with the best and brightest from the budget-oriented, compact class. Based on the A-Star concept introduced at last year's New Delhi Motor Show, the new model will be built in India by Maruti Suzuki's Manesar plant, and will likely packing a 1.0-liter engine which should make Euro V emissions regulations a breeze to exceed. Expect the new Alto to find its largest market in India, along with limited sales throughout Europe. For an economy car, it's a pretty decent looker from what we can tell from the two shots Suzuki's released ahead of the show, and we expect it will find plenty of buyers looking for a relatively cheap way to get around. Check the press release after the break for more.

Gallery: Paris Preview: Suzuki Alto


[Source: Suzuki]

Continue reading Suzuki Maruti Alto to debut in Paris

Suzuki Maruti Alto to debut in Paris originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 08 Aug 2008 08:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>maruti altoMarutiAltoparis 2008paris motor showParis2008ParisMotorShowsuzukisuzuki altosuzuki marutisuzuki maruti altoSuzukiAltoSuzukiMarutiSuzukiMarutiAltoFri, 08 Aug 2008 08:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1278375/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2008/08/08/suzuki-maruti-alto-to-debut-in-paris/1278375/article-detail.xml 1278375 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/08/alto_450_2_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/08/alto_450_2.jpg <![CDATA[General Motors planning on international minicar by 2010]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/03/26/general-motors-planning-on-international-minicar-by-2010/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/03/26/general-motors-planning-on-international-minicar-by-2010/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/03/26/general-motors-planning-on-international-minicar-by-2010/#commentsFiled under: , ,

According to GM of India vice president of corporate affairs, Mr. P Balendran, the automaker has firm plans to build a mini car. The hope is to have a model in play by 2010, with the goal of a 10-percent or better market share internationally.

Details are hard to come by, but the entry-level offering is expected to compete against offerings like the Suzuki Alto and Hyundai Santro, and Balendran pledges that it will be 'competitively priced.'

(An Indian-market Opel Corsa Sail is pictured)

[Source: The Economic Times, Opel of India]

General Motors planning on international minicar by 2010 originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 26 Mar 2006 09:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BalendranGeneral MotorsGeneralMotorsGMHyundaiIndiaminicarOpelSantroSuzuki AltoSuzukiAltoSun, 26 Mar 2006 09:05:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/602676/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2006/03/26/general-motors-planning-on-international-minicar-by-2010/602676/article-detail.xml 602676 http://www.autoblog.com/media/2006/03/Opel-Sail-Indian-market-resized_thumbnail.jpg http://www.autoblog.com/media/2006/03/Opel-Sail-Indian-market-resized.jpg -1 2