No More Suzuki

[Alkorahil]

Suzuki is throwing in the towel when it comes to selling cars in the U.S. Despite well-regarded models, its share had been shrinking.

 

 

 

Suzuki automobiles sit parked in the Dundalk Marine Terminal at the Port of Baltimore in this 2009 photo.

 

(Photo: Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images)

Story Highlights

• Suzuki is leaving the car business in the U.S.
  
• It will focus instead on ATVs, motorcycles and outboard engines
  
• Its bankruptcy filing is unrelated to Japan's Suzuki
  

 

9:42PM EST November 5. 2012 - Suzuki says it's getting out of the car business in the U.S.

American Suzuki Motor says it will file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization and focus on selling motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles and outboard engines for boats even as it leaves the car business behind, the Associated Press says. It adds that the filing is unrelated to Japan's Suzuki.

In recent years, Suzuki tried to blend the design cues of its motorcycles in its cars, like the well-regarded Kizashi midsize sedan. But its marketing lacked the muscle of bigger, stronger brands, pushing it to the margins.

Suzuki sold 21,188 vehicles so far this year, down 4.7% from a year ago, according to Autodata. Its big seller was the SX4 crossover, accounting for about two-thirds of its sales for the year through October.

No word yet on the fate of Suzuki dealers or the timetable on American Suzuki's departure from the car business.

 

http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/cars/2012/11/05/suzuki-leaves-car-business-bankruptcy/1684843/?kjnd=thUQ%2BFVykRRbSKEYeqKNVBxIPTf%2BQdZLiO%2FOzxDwcm%2FbgMS8WQAl5SwHG7pHGIIj-bb41de1a-f58d-4594-800a-23a0bd81e72a_2XeKhI7en7ZM1MD%2BP2WW6Q0xcXsjeXqn8Qzrx8ColDJSOTAjeUOuATMhYkoM1tOX

[Precise1]

Well, that's too bad. I've never seriously considered buying one, but I see them on the road often so they can't be all bad.

 

*first motorcycle was a 1980 Suzuki RM80. Fond memories*

 

B

[nunya]

Shame, some of the newer ones ain't too bad (though you basically have to pul the front bumper cover to change the headlight in a Kishai/Kelbeski/Hibachi/however you say it)

[Kingman]

Too much GM in them. I sat in a new XL-7 my friend's mom bought and it felt like I was sitting in an Equinox... steering wheel, controls,stereo, switches, engine, etc. Felt pretty chintzy too.

[Trogdor636]

I thought about buying one because they rebadged a Frontier and put a better warranty on it.

 

And it was cheaper!

Edited November 6, 2012 by Trogdor636

[Pathfinder94]

LONG LIVE THE SAMURAI !!!

[5523Pathfinder]

Yeah, I will miss them. I actually enjoyed working on them when we had them at Nissan(with Isuzu too, ick). Pretty reliable for the most part. Too bad they weren't marketed that well. Sayonara my friend!

[Tungsten]

They just can't compete. Take their Kizashi for example. It's a decent mid size sedan but it costs the same price as a full size.

[GrimGreg]

I thought about buying one because they rebadged a Frontier and put a better warranty on it.

 

And it was cheaper!

 

Yeah, they didn't seem to sell well though, I have only ever seen 1 on the road.

[Trogdor636]

I was never aware of a dealer near me. I first saw them at my sisters in Wichita Kansas. There were a few running around there.

[Pathfinder94]

I had an '87, lifted. Man that thing would go anywhere! One i wish i had never sold.