ZUKIWORLD Online | Suzuki 4x4 Editorial and Forum
ZUKIWORLD Discussion Forum => Suzuki 4x4 Forum => Topic started by: ebewley on July 18, 2012, 07:29:36 PM
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I saw all of those news articles along with the new sx4 today. I really hope that they don't exit the US market, but the lack of new products combined with the recession has really put a squeeze on Suzuki. Then there is the fact they no longer have the CAMI factory in NA, which means everything has to come from Japan with its strong Yen.
Even if they imported and sold the new Swift to the USA at a loss, it would help Suzuki from losing so much market share. They really need a 2-door conv, but with the 25% import tariff on such vehicles, I don't see that happening either. Their biggest hits in the USA were the Samurai and the 2dr Sidekick and they need to have something like that again. I still think an updated lwb Samurai-ish vehicle built in India would do well in the US. Widen it 6 inches, put a 2.5 liter four cylinder in it, the Jimmy coil suspension, add a small 3rd door like the Toyota FJ to get around the tariffs, airbags etc etc.
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Without a major automotive manufacturing facility on this side of the pond I doubt they will continue with a USDM lineup, and seeing the test mule pictured is in Europe, I would expect it to be a EDM only vehicle.
Give me a anti-social, politically incorrect, offroad capable vehicle that is OBDI or older and I am happy, I have absolutely no desire to purchase a new citizenmobile.
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I'm not sure what to think about this. Suzuki makes some great cars, but a lot of them are not imported into the US. I'm sure they would sell the Jimny like crazy these days if US buyers could get thier hands on them.
The current line up is OK, but compared to other brands many of the products are showing thier age. I wouldn't have purchased my GV last year, but the deal they gave me was too good to pass up. The GV is a solid little truck, but nothing that special unless you want a low range (which I did) and some of the other features you simply can't get get in that price range unless you purchase the GV.
I have been really wanting to sell the GV and get an older Sami. I rarely have to shuttle kids any more, my wife has a nice car we could use for long distance traveling, and the simplicity of design speaks to me right now.
I'm not all that interested in thier cars right now. Maybe when the Swift rejoins the market I would look at it as an economical car for my children. Right now, I don't see much for me in thier line up or anything in the pipe. I'm starting to lose the faith.
Rob
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Bummer. Good thing they still make great bikes.
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I'm sure they would sell the Jimny like crazy these days if US buyers could get thier hands on them.
This.
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And the bad news for Suzuki continues....
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10000872396390444464304577535851555867244.html?mod=googlenews_wsj (http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10000872396390444464304577535851555867244.html?mod=googlenews_wsj)
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Ever since they went unibody IFS/IRS and the XL7 became a minivan I've had no use for them.
Funny part is the 2012 Jeep Wrangler has a far more powerful engine, gets nearly the same gas mileage, and costs less WHILE having real low range 4x4 and coil sprung solid axles.
I couldn't give a rat's ass about Suzuki's products any more. Sad. I've owned...counting...6 of them. When my Tracker wears out there's almost no chance a Suzuki anything will replace it.
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Ever since they went unibody IFS/IRS and the XL7 became a minivan I've had no use for them.
Funny part is the 2012 Jeep Wrangler has a far more powerful engine, gets nearly the same gas mileage, and costs less WHILE having real low range 4x4 and coil sprung solid axles.
I couldn't give a rat's ass about Suzuki's products any more. Sad. I've owned...counting...6 of them. When my Tracker wears out there's almost no chance a Suzuki anything will replace it.
I hear what your saying... Your post made me think and I had to do a bit of research on price, gas mileage, and engine power...
http://www.jeep.com/en/2012/wrangler_unlimited/ (http://www.jeep.com/en/2012/wrangler_unlimited/)
So, the cheapest 4-door wrangler I could find was a 2012 WRANGLER UNLIMITED SPORT and it looks like at destination it would have an MSRP of $26,470 and that comes with a 3.6 liter V6 with horsepower of 280; torque of 260 ft/lbs. Fuel mileage is estimated at 16 city / 21 hwy
The closest offering from Suzuki would be the Grand Vitara
The base 4x4 you can get is the Grand Vitara Premium AT AWD and is priced at 24,099.00 and that has a 2.4 liter 4cylinder that has 166 Hp and 162 ft/lb of torque. The Mileage is estimated at 19 city and 23 hwy
So, if you do indeed compare Suzuki GV to the Jeep Wrangler, it doesn't seem to stack up although it is ranked higher in US News' Small SUV ranking and report http://usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/cars-trucks/rankings/Affordable-Compact-SUVs/ (http://usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/cars-trucks/rankings/Affordable-Compact-SUVs/) But I think that is not what Suzuki is aiming for with the GV. In my opinion they are looking for customers that would shop the Honda CR-V, Toyota Rav4, Ford Escape, Kia Sportage, Subaru Forester, etc...
...and in that field they're mid-pack at best with an older design that needs refreshing.
Great comment AJM, got me thinking for sure. My take away is that we, as Suzuki nutz that want a rugged vehicle, are most likely going to be disappointed with any new offering from Suzuki because they are not looking to service our market at the moment. That may change; but I think it highly unlikely.
Having said all that, I do think there is great off-road potential in the 3rd gen Vitara. I've had it on a lift and inspected one thoroughly and with some pretty simple mods, I think it could be an offroad contender.
-Eric
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I was comparing it more to a 2 door. Up the mpg numbers 1 each and drop the purchase price a 3 grand.
The GV is still small. I like my Tracker but the back seat is a joke. Adult males of any height are squished back there. My Golden Retriever takes up the whole rear seat. If I have this little interior space I may as well have a top that comes off.
Hope the newer GV's are better with interior space.
What's the towing rating on the GV also? A 2 door 2012 Wrangler is rated for a ton and the 4 door conservatively at 3500lbs.
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The new GV has a better back seat. It is reclinable and there is quite a bit of leg room. It works great for two, but three is real tight.
The GV is rated at 3000 lbs. Not much, but it should tow a very small camper, dirt bikes or an ATV or two without any problem. I use mine to transport our bikes to the trail heads:
(http://i878.photobucket.com/albums/ab349/crewcabrob/CIMG0028.jpg)
I've done about all I can do right now to my GV. 2" lift and larger tires. I also added air bags to the back to level things out when fully loaded. I'm looking for gears for the t-case, skid plates and other offroad goodies. Sadly, I may just scrap the project and sell the GV and get a Sami or go the route my brother did and buy the new JK Unlimited Rubicon. He already has gears, lockers, sway bar disconnects and skids/rails before he adds a single dollar to the aftermarket. Now it sits on 35's and a 6" lift. There is no way I can build my GV to go the places his will go. I could build a Sami no problem for about 10K, that will do just about everything his will do until a long wheel base is needed.
Rob
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The GV is rated at 3000 lbs. Not much, but it should tow a very small camper, dirt bikes or an ATV or two without any problem. I use mine to transport our bikes to the trail heads:
Or you could tow a Samurai. ;)
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What's weird to me, is that my 2010 SX4 is still averaging over 29 MPG, but a friend bought a Kizashi, and she's constantly in the mid 30's. With a heavier car, and bigger engine. Gotta wonder about that.
And yet, other than the Galactica (2004 F-250) and a beater, I've bought nothing but Suzuki products since 1991.
91 4-door kick
92 4-door kick
95 4-door kick
95 4-door kick
95 2-door kick
97 4-door kick sport
99 grand vitara
10 SX4
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The GV is rated at 3000 lbs. Not much, but it should tow a very small camper, dirt bikes or an ATV or two without any problem. I use mine to transport our bikes to the trail heads:
Or you could tow a Samurai. ;)
I'm really thinking about selling the GV and just getting a Sami guilt up to drive daily. I just paid the taxes for the year on the GV and it cost me $459.50 to put plates on it. I hate that...
I drive about 6K a year on avarage. Nothing that wouldn't keep me from driving a Sami most of the time.
I would buy a new Jimny right now if Suzuki offered one in the states. I just need basic transport that I can tinker with when I want to and have a toy for my trips to Moab.
Rob
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http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2012/07/suzuki-death-watch-3-oh-yeah-we-did-replace-those-people/ (http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2012/07/suzuki-death-watch-3-oh-yeah-we-did-replace-those-people/)
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I am working in Australia for the next 2 years and bought a 2010 Jimny. Great vehicle...fun to drive, solid feel, and 30 mpg. I would buy one in a minute if offered in the US.
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I wish Suzuki could, but to import the Jimny to the US would mean a 25% tarriff on the cost to build it. Thus, the sales price would be $20k+ in the US and that's not even including the costs to convert it to US specs. Furthermore, once it arrived you can bet that Consumer Reports, 60 minutes, etc would immediately try to fliip it.
Just like the modern Jeep JK and its growing proportions, any new Suzuki SUV vehicle sold in the US will need to have a much longer wheelbase and be substantionally wider than a Samurai. That will be the only way to keep the lawyers at bay.
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Ouch
http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2012/07/26/044227-2012-suzuki-grand-vitara-ultimate-adventure-edition-review-by-dan.html (http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2012/07/26/044227-2012-suzuki-grand-vitara-ultimate-adventure-edition-review-by-dan.html)[/url]