Autoblog

REPORT: Suzuki CEO denies talks with VW amidst tie-up rumors

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Japan, Suzuki, Volkswagen, Earnings/Financials, India, Rumormill

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

Hear about those reports last week of a potential tie-up between Suzuki and Volkswagen for microcar development? Osamu Suzuki, chief executive at the automaker that bear his name, heard the same rumors that we did, and they apparently came as news to him. Though Suzuki falls short of denying outright that any potential deal could be struck, he told the Chunichi Shimbun daily (via Reuters):

So far there's been absolutely no contact (with Volkswagen). Lately, we've been the victim of a lot of rumors (of equity tie-ups and cooperation deals).

Suzuki sells more mini cars - albeit tiny 660cc Kei urban runabouts - in Japan than any other automaker not named Toyota, yet it has a limited footprint in most other markets. Thus, it's not surprising that rumors of impending partnerships are common. In this case, though, it would seem that reports of a potential 10% stake by VW are at least a bit premature.

Gallery: Suzuki Alto Lapin

[Source: Reuters]

REPORT: Suzuki CEO denies talks with VW amidst tie-up rumors originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 29 Jun 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Volkswagen considering stake in Suzuki for micro-car alliance

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 14:01:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Japan, Suzuki, Volkswagen, Earnings/Financials, India

Suzuki Alto Lapin - Click above for high-res gallery

According to reports from Reuters and Manager Magazin in Germany, Volkswagen is keen to purchase a 10% stake in Suzuki in order to cooperate on future small cars for emerging markets. In its home market of Japan, Suzuki is the second-largest automaker behind Toyota and dominates the tiny Kei car market alongside Toyota-owned Daihatsu.

These miniature 660cc vehicles are extremely popular in Japan's dense urban settings and Volkswagen reportedly believes this class of automobile holds great promise for emerging markets. In India, for example, Tata Motors has seen a great deal of success with its diminutive Nano, which is billed as the cheapest car in the world.

Suzuki already enjoys a measure of success in Tata's home turf, where its Maruti Suzuki subsidiary offers the Alto, which has been the best-selling automobile in India since 2004. At this time, both Suzuki and Volkswagen are declining comment, but VW chairman Ferdinand Piech has praised the Japanese automaker numerous times in the past.

Gallery: Suzuki Alto Lapin

[Source: Retuers]

REPORT: Volkswagen considering stake in Suzuki for micro-car alliance originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 25 Jun 2009 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Upgraded Bunny: Suzuki unveils updated Alto Lapin

Dan Roth — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 16:40:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Japan, Suzuki

Click above for a hi-res gallery of the Suzuki Alto Lapin

Sporting a name that could roughly mean "high pitched rabbit" is loveably quirky, and so it fits that the name is affixed to a kei car. Suzuki's 660cc microcar, styled in the same idiom that has shaped Nissan's Cube, though the 'Zuki calls to mind the original Mini more than other squared-off micros. The styling is about the only thing that Suzuki hasn't changed on the Alto Lapin, which has been on sale since 2002. There are upgrades to the platform, powertrain, and interior, making the Alto Lapin a virtually new vehicle. The interior rework brings a newfound sense of space, if that can truly be said about anything so tiny, and the stylish design is rendered in classy materials. A new CVT makes the most of the 53 naturally aspirated or 63 turbocharged horsepower while delivering nearly 58 mpg. The car, with its inherent cuteness, is aimed at women buyers (like many other keis, it's offered in pink), and there's a whole line of "Lapin Goods" to go along with the car. With a price between $11,000 and $15,000, there's some scratch left over for trinkum that will make you nearly as stylish as your Alto Lapin. Click here for a translated version of Suzuki's press release.

Gallery: Suzuki Alto Lapin

[Source: Suzuki via Autofiends]

Upgraded Bunny: Suzuki unveils updated Alto Lapin originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 30 Nov 2008 16:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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