Kizashi Club

News is out that the CEO of Suzuki, Osamu Suzuki, is stepping down amid the fuel economy scandal in Japan. It doesn't affect North American models or any export models, I imagine, as the scandal revolves around JDM kei-cars and how their fuel efficiency was measured. While the scandal is nothing like VW's "Dieselgate" and is even less than Mitsubishi's scandal, it looks like Suzuki is getting new leadership.
What's interesting is that Osamu Suzuki is one of the oldest and longest serving CEOs in the auto industry. He's currently 86 years old and has been CEO of Suzuki since 1978.

http://www.ibtimes.com/suzuki-chairman- ... ts-2379522

He should have stepped down when Suzuki left the North American market.
I feel that decision cost me at least $3000.

Sluggo wrote:He should have stepped down when Suzuki left the North American market.
I feel that decision cost me at least $3000.

Hate to say it but the US market wasn't a priority for Suzuki Auto. It's obvious they tried their last hurrah with the Kizashi but when sales were dismal, they threw in the towel. On the contrary, Suzuki cars are ubiquitous in Japan and Suzuki is a leader in ultra-light kei cars there. Given the scandal involved the kei-cars in the Japanese Domestic Market, it was quite an issue for Suzuki as it involved their prime product in their home market.

Quite frankly, I think Osamu Suzuki resigning was long overdue. No doubt that he was a good CEO in the past, but Suzuki has gone downhill in the last decade, similar to Mitsubishi. I'm just a bit surprised it took fuel economy scandals in Japan to remove and replace the lackluster management from these companies.

Isn't Mitsubishi on a bit of an up swing? Both of the Outlander models have been redesigned and imho look pretty good. The next two years will most likely determine if Mitsubishi stays or goes. It is hard to believe that any car company can survive in The US without some kind of mid size or compact car.

Sluggo wrote:Isn't Mitsubishi on a bit of an up swing? Both of the Outlander models have been redesigned and imho look pretty good. The next two years will most likely determine if Mitsubishi stays or goes. It is hard to believe that any car company can survive in The US without some kind of mid size or compact car.

Looking good, and selling good are two very different things unfortunately. The Kizashi is a great example of that...

Yes, Mitsubishi is on an upswing, but it's all relative. They are on an upswing from being in despair and are selling better than previous years. However, it's still at very low volume and they are tiny compared to their rivals. That being said, they are increasing in sales so they will likely stay around a bit longer, especially now that Nissan has a hand in them. Carlos Ghosn of Nissan has stated he intends to keep Mitsubishi as a separate brand and keep them in the US as well.

As for not having a midsize sedan, yes, it's odd but Mitsubishi is trying to be a Japanese Jeep. They want to shift away from sedans and make CUVs and SUVs, but with available electrified powertrains. They are selling the Mirage to move cars (which is working) and their Outlander Sport is doing well for them. Personally, I think they really need to bring the Montero Sport and Montero back ASAP. I also look forward to the Outlander PHEV but I think it won't be a hot seller here in the US.
Hopefully, the new management will breathe life back into Mitsubishi's forgettable line-up.