FUTURE PRODUCTS -- JAPAN Suzuki: Verona on way out
Automotive News

 
Aerio, Aeria: The Aerio wagon will be dropped during the 2007 model year.

Forenza: A freshening is planned for the 2008 model year.

Reno: Reno is the hatchback version of the Forenza. It may get a high-performance engine for the 2008 model year.

Swift: The company will bring the next-generation Swift hatchback to the United States in 2010 to compete with such vehicles as the Honda Fit. A hybrid sedan is a possibility. The Swift last was sold here in 2002.

Verona: U.S. sales never hit projections, so the car will be dropped at the end of the 2006 model year. The Verona was built by GM Daewoo Auto & Technology Co. Quality problems with the engine and transmission also were issues.

Sources say the upcoming, redesigned Verona may be exported to the United States in the 2008 or 2009 model year. If so, Suzuki execs say they want to be in charge of the engine technology.

SX4: The SX4 crossover goes on sale this fall. The five-seat hatchback was developed on the Swift platform and is Suzuki's first crossover. All-wheel drive, antilock brakes and six airbags are standard.

The base model is powered by a new 143-hp, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine making 136 pounds-feet of torque.

Suzuki has developed an awd racing version, called the SX4 WRC. That vehicle will run in the European World Rally Championship series starting in August 2007. A production model also is planned.

Grand Vitara: The small SUV is due for a freshening in 2009.

XL7: The redesigned 2007 XL7 crossover is the largest vehicle Suzuki has ever sold in this country. Five- and seven-passenger seating is offered.

The XL7 is developed on General Motors' front-drive Theta platform, shared by the Chevrolet Equinox and Pontiac Torrent. Awd is optional. The new 3.5-liter engine delivers an estimated 250 hp, 65 hp more than its predecessor.

Pickup: Nissan will provide Suzuki with a small pickup to sell in the United States in the 2009 model year. A version of the Frontier is likely.

That is really sad about the Verona, it was a great car, good looking...i loved it.  But did have it's issues.  I guess it was pretty bad since a dealer-wide "stop-sell" program was in place twice that i recall.  Which really isn't saying much for those Daewoo models since Chevy did almost an entire year long stop-sell on the Chevy Aveo's due to major quality issues. 
I guess the Forenza got lucky because the engine and transmission where not developed by Daewoo but were rather "off-the-shelf" parts from GM Holden. 
And is it safe to say the SX4 is the new Aerio?  And on the subject of the Aerio, I think the Reno would be amazing if they put the Aerios 2.3 in it.  It's a really cool car, just lacking in HP.

This pick-up truck however sounds like a great idea.  this may be the body-on-frame Suzuki truck we want back....even if it's not exactly all Suzuki.