ZUKIWORLD Online | Suzuki 4x4 Editorial and Forum
ZUKIWORLD Discussion Forum => Suzuki 4x4 Forum => Topic started by: ebewley on October 11, 2003, 01:41:47 PM
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BREA, Calif. (October 1, 2003) - American Suzuki Motor Corporation (ASMC) sold 3,893 vehicles in September, an eight percent decrease from 2002 calendar year-to-date sales. The new midsize Suzuki Verona sedan posted 365 units in its first month of sales. The XL-7 posted 1,449 sales, the Grand Vitara notched 514 sales for the month and the Vitara posted 515 sales. Aerio sedan and SX sales marked 1,048 sales for the month.
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Ouch! ???
What should they do to get those figures up?
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Gotta go another direction ;D I'm thinking showing a Grand Vitara going full bull moose nuts on some trail going through mud, etc, etc, and show just how tough they are.........Hey, if they really want to get some attention, they could show one pulling a stuck Jeep out of the mud!!!!!! ::) Of course, that WOULD ruffle a few feathers ;D. Have fun, Dave
ps. Perhaps they could lower their price just a tad, or perhaps even offer a special offroad package complete with (GASP) rubber floor mats in place of the rugs, and maybey be slightly lifted bigger tires, a winch, factory push bar, and then offer it for a reasonable price...Oh, did I mention lockers????? Kinda like a Rubicon knock off. Right now, they're pushing cars, in fact, they have Dawoo build two of them right now. Cars can be nice, but I think it's a big mistake, they should really push the Vitara, Grand Vitara, XL7 etc. Just a thought though.
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These figures don't surprise me. Mark my words, unless ASMC can remain a leader in the cute-UTE market, the figures will continue to sag. I still say their .357 plan is more like a .22 plan (2 little, 2 late).
Still the XL remains the strongest seller. And with the revamped look and much better marketing campaign, it will remain strong.
But they can't pump Vitara sales, They nixed the 2-dr Vit. That alone desirves a moment of silence. Not that it marks the end of the Suzuki rag top 4x4 history, but it marks the largest nail to be placed in ASMC's coffin.
They could make a little Wranger-type entry, but they won't. They could show a GV blasting thru mud, or crawling slickrock (like the newest and coolest Xterra commercial). But they won't.
Why? Because Rick is a putz and lost his direction, as well as his cohones. Too bad, I really would like to buy a Katana 4x4.
I have to admit. The Nissan Xterra ad is working on me. At least the ad says they have an Owner's club and seems to encourage off-roading, which is light years more than what Suzuk does. A couple of the rigs in the ad even have CALMINI suspensions!
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But they can't pump Vitara sales,  They nixed the 2-dr Vit.  That alone desirves a moment of silence.  Not that it marks the end of the Suzuki rag top 4x4 history, but it marks the largest nail to be placed in ASMC's coffin.
I have to admit.  The Nissan Xterra ad is working on me. At least the ad says they have an Owner's club and seems to encourage off-roading, which is light years more than what Suzuk does.  A couple of the rigs in the ad even have CALMINI suspensions!
Two very good points, Tim. When I learned that the 2-door rag top was to be discontinued; I was sadened. We've been waiving, and will continue to waive, the Suzuki flag for they do make fine automobiles, however, it's disheartening to charge a hill, look around, and not see anyone behind you.
I too have been impressed with Nissan. For one, they have some of their vehicle development here in the states, which I think helps get ideas thrown into the mix consistant with potential buyers ideas of what a wheeler should be. Do they even off-road in Japan? Is there a word for what we do over here; over there? Sure they have rally racing in the dirt but are there any non-competitve, adventure based, camping, rock crawling, mud bogging, hunting, fishing, or exploring use vehicle groups in Japan? I think maybe not...
-Eric
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I plan to bask in the glow of the great product they have built and hope by the time these rigs run scarce they will wake up and realize what a massive mistake they have made and come out with the "katana". (Yeah, I know its a massive run on sentence, SO WHAT!!)
:PMike
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OOOO, Katana, 9,000 RPM RedLine,
240 HP turning 37" Swampers\Boggers
(your choice) with 36"- no 48" articulation,
Straight axles with coils and 4 link control
6:1 T-case, Factory Air Lockers F and R,
6 Speed Man Trans or 5 Speed Auto :D
(Got to keep the boost up on the Turbo)
80 Deg approach and depart angles.....
Aww Crap I just woke up ...... :'(
*Sniff* Ohh the inhumanity!!!
Well I can dream can't I ???
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sorry eric,
but i thought you'd like to read this thread
http://bb.bc4x4.com/showthread.php?s=637d72fa922320f8a818c76e8e4fd339&threadid=30104
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that means that the convertible 2dr might come back.
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sorry eric,
but i thought you'd like to read this thread
[url]http://bb.bc4x4.com/showthread.php?s=637d72fa922320f8a818c76e8e4fd339&threadid=30104[/url]
I wouldn't hold your breath for a US release; even a Canadian release seem unlikely...
-Eric
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QUestion for MIke Hagen:
WOuld you put THAT rig in the air? 8)
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If Ive still got a pulse if and when it happens. ;D
Mike
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Wow now just add a few options to this like lightbar , 3" lift , 31" tires and ill be the 1st to get one if they ever bring them to canada :D hehehe
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I treat all rumors with a grain of salt.
But thinking about this, it could be true. Suzuki's bread and butter has always been the entry vehicle, without the two door 4x4 they will continue to loss sales overall. There are way too many other name brands to choose from for Suzuki to gain market share from.
Now knowing it's just a rumor....lets dream shall we :)
Who will buy one ?
If they do come, and there is a diesel model. I'm into getting one, think about a mini 4x4 lifted getting 50mpg or close to it. They're an inch narrower that the sidekick. so even thought they look small they are bigger than samurai's.
What do the rest of you folks think ?
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Lift 'em, bigger rubber, snorkel, ARB winch bar & front and rear air lockers and a gear driven t-case from a leaf spring Sammi so you can put in some lower t-case gears and you can can go places.
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I purchased one of the first sammis in 96 (tintop loaded) here in the Northeast from a specialty dealer that wasn't Suzuki affiliated at the time. Best vehicle I ever bought. If they come out w/ a Rubicon'd Katana (or whatever they want to call it) I'm in. People thought I was nuts for getting into something so "new". 150K miles later I'm still tooling around in a machine that never let me down and cost pennies a day to operate. I signed that petition a couple years ago about bringing back the sammi and if they do, my POS mexican made Dodge PU is gone like a fart in the wind! That quick. Is it clear where I stand on the subject?
Oh, by the way did I mention Consumer Reports sucks? >:( What would toaster testers know about a real 4wd and what it is supposed to be capable of!?!?
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96???? :P I can't type....like everyone else 1986!!!