In Japan, nobody churns out small cars faster and with more fanatical low-cost efficiency than Suzuki, which leads Japan’s unique high-volume 660-cc minicar market by a mile.
Suzuki has just unveiled the four-wheel-drive crossover SX4 as a U.S. 2007 model, marking the start of a more interesting era for small Suzukis. Meanwhile, back in Japan, Suzuki’s future is suddenly the subject of intense speculation.
Now that General Motors has sold off its shares in Suzuki, analysts and media wonder whether Suzuki is now in play and could team up with another manufacturer — Nissan, for instance.
It could happen. And if it does, Suzuki’s global strategy for small cars could change and lead to a shakeout of Japan’s small-car players.
This week, Suzuki chief Toshihiro Suzuki commented, “Now we will build our strategy for compact vehicles such as Swift for the U.S. and European markets.” With a cool design and a great chassis, the new Swift is a major hit for Suzuki, and the long-secretive company is now an attractive target for quite a few in the industry.
Suzuki could hold the key to the next round of restructuring in the Japanese auto industry — and beyond.
The swift is one of the neater looking small cars:
http://www.globalsuzuki.com/swift/index.html
And it is distinguishable without looking ugly.
review:http://www.carpages.co.uk/suzuki/suzuki-swift-part-1-06-04-05.asp
That rises to 43.5 mpg for the 1.5 manual and to 45.6 mpg for the 1.3 litre.
Sweeet.
http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/car-reviews/car-and-driving/suzuki-swift-range-1004597.html
Maybe. I want a three door. Blue. Thanks.