Toyota and Suzuki Teaming up?? Could this mean a new Kisashi in the future??

[Knightewolfe]

Just read an article a few minutes ago that mentioned that Suzuki and Toyota are teaming up? (I'll try and post the url soon). If this is true, could it possibly mean that there may be a 2nd gen Kisashi stealthily appearing in the future?? To paraphrase Fleet Admiral Chester Nimitz: 'The Kizashi Fan World Wonders'.

I would like to hear your thoughts on this.

As I've mentioned before, I don't own a Kisashi (or any car, ATM) but I have test driven a 6sp version a few years back. If this article is true about a teaming up of Toyota and Suzuki, then I sure as hell would be overjoyed at a Kizashi rebirth as long as it gets a power boost to over 200bhp AND, most importantly, the Suzuki higher ups decide to pair the AWD system with the manual trans as well as with the cvt.

However, I believe a 2nd gen Kizzie at this time is a pipe dream.

KW

Edit: Just found that url: http://www.thedetroitbureau.com. Search for Toyota, Suzuki Teaming Up.

[Ronzuki]

Saw a similar, brief, reference to a Toy/Zuk collaboration in the Sunday paper. Something about "Suzuki. maker of small cars" and more gibberish about sharing "tech"...whatever that means. If Toyotas start selling rebadged "small cars" from Suzuki, that would be awesome. Since Toyota has nothing in that small car function arena that is remotely affordable, it's quite possible. Still holding out hopes to see a Jimny over here (don't car who's badge is on it). That would almost be a guaranteed bye-bye to the JKUW Wrangler I have.

[KuroNekko]

I've also read elsewhere about the possible collaboration. However, it's likely not going to be of much, if any, benefit to North American Suzuki fans. Toyota wants to tap Suzuki's small car expertise for markets like India. Suzuki desperately needs better technology to remain relevant in first-world markets like Europe and Japan. The Kizashi will likely never come back given Toyota has a plethora of cars in that segment and has much more experience than Suzuki in making larger vehicles.
If there is any chance of Suzuki-built cars coming back, it's that Suzuki will build small cars like the Swift for Toyota. However, I don't have high hopes given Mazda already does that and builds the Toyota Yaris iA, formerly known as the Scion iA, for Toyota in Mexico.

That being said, I do also dream of a new Jimny-like vehicle. It makes sense: the rest of the world wants/needs Jimny-like small SUVs. Toyota doesn't make one that small/cheap and the closest they have is the Daihatsu Terios which is more like a Suzuki SX4. If the Wrangler keeps selling well and the new Ford Bronco gains momentum, it may justify a cheaper offroader for North America that Suzuki and Toyota can work together on to keep costs low. It makes sense to me as the Jimny is now ancient and the FJ Cruiser has been retired.