Seems like bad news for Suzuki

[psydca]

I read this article today. Had me a bit concerned about the future of Suzuki. I admit I am a bit sensitive about the solvency of my auto company as I just traded in my Saab (for the Kizashi) largely b/c the company went bankrupt. When I bought the Kiz (Feb 2012), the sales guy said that Suzuki was closing low quality dealerships, but that the company was committed to its USA auto business.

http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/a ... alers-bail

[Moto]

I've got to admit that article does make it appear that Suzuki might be planning a silent exit from the country. The kizashi is too good a car not to be sold here so I have a feeling it might fly under a VW badge as something else.

[NiteRider]

It's definitely concerning. I wonder if they will still honor the warranty on these cars if they exit and what laws exist to protect ourselves if they do. On a positive note, the Altoona Dealership they mentioned as having the highest volume US store is where I purchased my kizzy.

[chazyouwin]

Interesting article, but intentionally sensational. The dealer chart is misleading to match the headline and when you rely for a primary source upon a former dealer who admittedly used the franchise for an improper purpose other than selling Suzukis (getting a loan to support a used car operation), what would you expect?

There was a nonperforming Hillside, NJ dealer which folded (altogether, along with its other brands) -- good riddance.

And then the article says sales fell in 2011 to X number, and then shows a chart showing they increased.

The gloom and doom theme - have been seeing it since 2002. Nothing new.

[ah_Perth]

When they start the graph at 300 on the vertical axis (for greater effect), I tend to turn off and disregard it.

[Senegal]

i don't know which is better, trading in the SLS AWD for $13-15k or running it to the ground hoping it'll hold up for another 10 years.

I can't get a car as decent as Kizashi for $15k, on the other hand, stopping the loss at this point may be better.

I think it's a solid car though, apart from the CVT, i think it would hold up just fine.

So far 31k trouble free miles.

Need to change the coolant soon.

[Moto]

I agree the CVT is the weak point, but a lot of other cars use the same CVT so there will probably be replacement for it. It is kind of a pain in the ass to to deal with cross model parts though. I just got a saabaru (Saab 9-2x aero), and when I go to subaru for parts they are like "we don't have parts for that." I think I have everyone educated at the local dealer what it actually is, but it is hard to say what changes Suzuki made to make it work with their system.

I still don't know if I believe Suzuki would give up a foothold in the US unless it has plans of marketing the car under another badge which I don't think is an option right now.

[lovemyzuki]

I recently heard from a dealership there will be a new campaign coming. They don't know too much detail of it tho.

[scorcher]

Well traded in the Kiz for a vw Gli. If anyone read the Moter Trend comparison between the Civic Si, Kiz and Vw saw the Vw finished on top. I got a hard 17k for the Kiz SLS with 26k on the od. Will miss the Kiz and the uniqueness but not the CVT and the uncertainty about the future of Suzuki. The dealer in Naples I think might be closing. Which would have left a 2 hour drive north for service.

[chazyouwin]

Even if Suzuki were to stop selling cars in the U.S., the company would still be obligated to honor the warranties for the cars it sold. How that would happen I obviously do not know, but I think it there would be a reasonable replacement program.