Mercedes-Benz Tops Secret Shopper Study of U.S. Dealers, Lincoln Places Last in Luxury Segment

Mercedes-Benz dealers were number one for customer treatment in the US according to an independent study by survey company Pied Piper. The California-based company hired 3,524 “secret shoppers” and sent them to US dealerships in order to determine how their salesmen were performing in anything from explaining a car’s features to closing a deal.
This is the third year in a row that Mercedes-Benz, which looks set to top the sales charts this year in the luxury segment, has topped Pied Piper’s study.
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VIDEOS: “Monster” Tajima Breaks 10 Min Record at Pikes Peak with 910-hp Suzuki SX4

Nobuhiro “Monster” Tajima has broken his own record at this year’s Pikes Peak Hill Climb, completing the 12.42-mile (19.9 km) “Race to the Clouds” in just 9:51.278, demolishing the 10:1.408 time he set four years ago.
“Monster” Tajima, who has being racing at Pikes Peak every year since 1988, accomplished this extraordinary feat driving an extremely modified Suzuki SX4 with 910-horses. Second fastest was Rhys Millen in the modified Hyundai PM580, with a time of 10:09.242.
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Suzuki Reportedly Cancels 2010 Kizashi Sedan

According to a report in Japan's daily business newspaper, Nikkei, Suzuki has 'shelved plans' to introduce the production version of the Kizashi concept vehicle series. Suzuki's planned midsize sedan, blueprints of which had been leaked into the internet last September, was supposed to debut in 2009 with sales starting in early 2010. Not surprisingly, the article in Nikkei supports that the reason why Suzuki has (allegedly) postponed the presentation of its Mazda6 and Honda Accord rival, is the sharp deterioration in global auto sales.

The Nikkei report also said that Suzuki will push back plans to open new plants in Russia and Thailand in 2010.

Even though we have no reason to doubt Nikkei's report, we would like to hear an official announcement from Suzuki before we make any conclusions, especially in what concerns the future of the Kizashi.

Source: Nikkei (Sub. Req)

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2009 Suzuki SX4 Facelift Spied Undisguised

The same folks over at the Sedici community that brought us the first shots of the facelifted Fiat Sedici, now bring us photos of the subcompact crossover's Japanese twin, the 2009 Suzuki SX4. More of an (extremely) subtle makeover than a true facelift, the 2009 SX4's nose gets a revised bumper with a restyled center air grille and concave surfaces above the fog lights. Other than that, Suzuki has also revised the protective aluminum plate on the rear bumper. Given that the 2009 Sedici features a few mild changes in the interior, we gather that the SX4's cabin will also be upgraded. Like the Fiat Sedici, the 2009 SX4 will make its market debut in 2009.


Via: FiatSedici.forumcommunity

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Suzuki Introduces Smaller 1.0-liter Engine for Splash

As more motorists search for models which offer low CO2 emissions and higher fuel economy automakers are "forced" to offer smaller engines on their vehicles. Suzuki is now adding a new entry-level variant of the Splash mini-MPV model which was launched earlier this year. Equipped with a 68HP 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol engine, the Splash GLS has a combined fuel consumption of 56.5 mpg UK. Because it falls under the 121 g/km CO2 limit (120 g/km) the Japanese mini-MPV will benefit from lower annual road taxes in the UK - £35 as of April, 2009.

Priced at £8,350 on the road, the GLS comes with air conditioning, electric front windows and heated adjustable door mirrors as standard. A three-spoke leather covered steering wheel with audio controls and radio CD player with MP3 compatibility, six airbags, ABS with EBD, and ESP are also standards. The new entry-level Splash GLS will go on sale in the UK in January 2009.

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Suzuki Prices the Equator Pickup Truck from $17,985

Suzuki has released pricing information for its Nissan Frontier-based, Equator mid-size pickup truck which will be available in the States in both Extended Cab and Crew Cab body styles with rear-wheel-drive or four-wheel-drive options. Prices start from $17,995 for the Equator Extended Cab and for those of you wondering, the base-price for the Nissan Frontier is $17,460. The most expensive version of the Equator is the Crew Cab RMZ-4 which carries a starting MSRP of $29,325 and offers an optional moto-style bed extender.

The new mid-size pickup truck from Suzuki is offered with two engines, a standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 152 horsepower and 171 lb.-ft. of torque and an available 4.0-liter, V6 engine producing 261HP with 281 lb.-ft. of torque. The Equator comes equipped with either a five-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission or five-speed manual gearbox which is available only on four-cylinder models.




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Suzuki Announces New COO

Japan's Suzuki Motor Corporation today announced a high-level management change with the appointment of Osamu Suzuki as the company's new president and COO -short for Chief Operating Officer. Osama Suzuki, who is also the firm's chairman and CEO (Chief Executing Officer) replaces Hiroshi Tsuda, who recently resigned due to health reasons, but will continue with SMC in the role of advisor. Furthermore, Suzuki appointed Senior Managing Executive Officers Takashi Nakayama, Takao Hirosawa and Minoru Tamura as new representative board members.

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Suzuki to Slash More Than 20% of its Workforce in Hungary

The latest automaker in Europe to resort to laying off employees to cope with the difficult economic climate is Suzuki. The Japanese automaker said on Friday that it plans to slash more than 20 percent of its workforce in its Hungarian unit near Budapest –1,179 jobs out of a total workforce of 5,523. "We are facing a drastic drop in orders and needed to adjust our production schedule as a result," spokeswoman Viktoria Ruska told Reuters. Suzuki, which is one Hungary's biggest exporters, has rediced its production forecast for 2008 from 300,000 units a year earlier to 282,000.

Next year's target is even lower as Ruska said that the company expects to produce around 210,000 cars in 2009. The job cuts will take effect on December 8 and are expected to be completed by February 2009.

Via: Reuters
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New Suzuki Alto Lapin: Mini-Me Nissan Cube...

Suzuki's all-too feminine Alto Lapin microvan has received a modest aesthetic facelift that brings it a "little bit" closer to appearance to the third-generation Nissan Cube that was unveiled at last week's LA auto show. The boxy-shaped "kei-car" that was initially introduced in 2002 is available only in Japan where it is offered with a choice of two powertrains, a naturally aspirated 0.66-liter unit that produces 54HP and a turbocharged version of the same engine with 64HP. Buyers can also opt between 2WD and 4WD variants.















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GM Sells Leftover Suzuki Stake to Raise Cash

While awaiting a decision on a $25 billion U.S. government aid for the auto industry, cash-strapped General Motors decided to sell back its 3.0 percent stake in Suzuki Motor Cooperation for 22.37 billion yen or $230 million. Suzuki issued an official statement this morning saying that the purchasing price will be today's closing price of 1,363 Yen per share for GM's 16,413,000 Suzuki shares which is equal to 3 percent of the Japanese firm's total issued common stock, on the open market. GM's partnership with Suzuki began in 1981 but the American company loosened its bonds with the Japanese automaker in March 2006 when it sold a 17 percent stake.

Suzuki said that the two automakers will continue doing business together despite the break up. "We are committed to continue promoting and implementing not only our existing projects, including development collaboration on advanced automotive technologies, but also collaboration on entries in new emerging markets," Suzuki said in a release. The two companies also confirmed "to give positive consideration on a possibility for GM to repurchase Suzuki shares in the future".

Statement by Osamu Suzuki

"Suzuki and GM have been constantly exchanging frank opinions on various topics as business partners. As GM taking this particular step to sell the shares it owns as a step toward strengthening its balance sheet is very understandable, we wanted to support GM's decision. We confirmed each other in a conference call with Wagoner-san and me that all individual initiatives will be pursued as they are today. There will be no impact on Suzuki's current business plan."


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Suzuki Swift “Black and White” Special Editions

Available in the German market from June 2008, the Suzuki Swift “Black and White” is a special edition model with a limited run of 1,200 units. As its name suggests, the limited version of the Swift 1.3 will be offered exclusively in two special metallic colors – pearl black and pearl white.
The vehicle’s standard equipment includes among other things, new 16-inch, 7-spoke alloy wheels in 195/45 R15 tires, “Black and White” special decals on the outside and matching mats on the inside along with a Clarion DVD/Navigation system with a large 6.9-inch color screen and a 30 GB hard drive. Optionally, Suzuki also offers a subtle bodykit that's pictured in the black Swift. Prices in Germany start from 16,900 euros. -Continued





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Suzuki Launches Swift Sport Cup Championship in the UK

Suzuki is offering UK drivers a cost-effective way to get a taste of rallying by launching its Swift Sport Cup series on Thursday 3rd April at the BRC’s 50th Anniversary event which is being held at Chatsworth, Derbyshire. Based on the Swift Sport, the Cup edition is built by the works Monster Sport Europe team and it’s powered by a 1.6-liter VVT engine delivering 123 Hp. According to the Japanese carmaker, the Championship winner will receive a prize of a fully funded drive on 2008 Wales Rally GB in a Suzuki Swift Super 1600, or brand-new Suzuki Swift road car and a supported drive in competitor’s own Suzuki Swift Sport Cup car on 2008 Wales Rally GB. –Continued after the jump
Suzuki GB Motorsport Manager Ian Robinson said: “We have worked hard to create a series which will be ultra-competitive as well as cost-effective, a balance rarely found in motorsport. We are confident that we have done that and are looking forward to the first round on April 18th.”
“Suzuki have been great supporters of the BRC,” comments British Rally Championship Manager Mark Taylor. “They have been providing a ladder for talent over the past few years. The innovative way that the cars are available means that people who may never have been able to compete at this level now can, it’s a great starter package that can only be good for unveiling the great talent we have in British rallying.”
Technical and Equipment Specification – Suzuki Swift Sport Cup

Body / Body preparation
FIA approved roll cage and rollcage padding set
Safety harness mount
Complete body reinforcement
Axle stand tubes
Painting of inside of vehicle and wheel arches
Seat mount pipe for seat bracket attaching points
Bonnet pins, rear gate pins
Sump guard and attaching kit (support bar and boss)
Fuel tank guard and under floor protection
Proflex shock absorber and spring set (gravel, Tarmac)
Reinforcement of suspension mounting points
Fire extinguisher mounting brackets
Assembly, adjustment and initial set-up
Final completion check
Safety
Safety harnesses (Sabelt 904183E) (2 sets)
Automatic fire extinguisher (Sabelt ES04)
Hand held fire extinguisher (Sabelt ES07)
Cut off switch & harness kit
Interior
Footrest for Co-driver (Sabelt Z170460)
Brakes
Competition brake pad set
Teflon brake lines (wheel arch)
Fuel system
Fuel pipe kit – full system
Engine
Cup spec exhaust pipes
Free flow air filter
Strengthened engine and gearbox mountings
Uprated clutch disc and clutch cover
Drive train
Mechanical limited slip differential
Altered final drive ratio
Cross ratio kit (1st gear)
Strengthened drive shafts
Lamps
Light Pod (halogen type – PIAA lamps)
Optional parts for car build
Map light - £17
Intercom – Peltor FMT 110 - £141
Intercom – Peltor FMT 200 - £484
Peltor headrests (each) - £106
Trip meter 100 - £267
Trip meter 200 - £358
Shift light pro - £76
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Suzuki USA CEO, Rick Suzuki Quits Over Poor Sales

American Suzuki Chairman Ryosaku ("Rick") Suzuki - he's the grandson of Michio Suzuki, founder of Suzuki Motor Corp, said that he will step down from his position due to the automaker’s poor sales and earnings in a letter sent to the company’s employees on Friday, March 28.
According to AN, Rick Suzuki stated in the letter that while in 2003 American Suzuki Motor Company (ASMC) implemented and announced a five-year plan to achieve annual sales of 200,000 cars and 300,000 motorcycles & ATVs, 2008 found the company far from its goals, with sales of 100,000 cars and 190,000 motorcycles & ATVs. –Continued
Unfortunately for ASMC employees, Rick Suzuki also wrote in the letter that due to the fact the company reported operating losses in 2007, it will reduce its U.S. work force of 674 by 55 employees through a voluntary retirement plan and that ASMC "is in no position to provide any bonus, let alone pay raise this year".
Via: AN (Sub. Req)

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HKS Presents Carbon-Fibre Aero Kit for Suzuki Swift Sport

Suzuki’s latest generation Swift is one of our favourite mini cars; it’s reliable and well built, it’s nice on the road and it looks nearly as good as a MINI (….) without costing an arm and a leg. The top-of-the-line Sport version with its perky 125 Hp 1.6-liter is even better adding a dose of sportiness to the mixture. While we wouldn’t have minded a few more horses under the hood, HKS’ offering for the Swift Sport which was redesigned for the Japanese market last year (see here), concentrates on appearance and handling.
The Japanese tuner’s aero kit includes mirror caps, front and rear lip, roof spoiler, hood with an aero scoop and a rear door spoiler all of which are made out of carbon-fibre. The Swift’s exterior looks are complemented by a set of 18-inch Advan RC-III alloys wrapped in Yokohama tires (215/35 R18). Additionally, HKS offers buyers the option of suspension, brake and chassis upgrades. –More pics after the jump









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Suzuki Kizashi 3 Concept Promo Video

As most of readers already know, the Suzuki Kizashi 3 Concept sports sedan made its worldwide debut at the New York Auto Show last week and we must say that it won our vote for its aggressive styling. According to Suzuki, the Kizashi 3 is a very close representation of the production model that is set to arrive in the market by 2010. Until then, we’ll have to be content with the image gallery from the NY Show floor and Suzuki’s official, animated video of the concept. –Video after the jump


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Suzuki Kizashi 3 Live Pics: It Still Looks Good!

Revealed for the first time at the New York Auto Show, the third iteration of Suzuki’s Kizashi series is not only the better looking among the three concepts, but it’s also the one closest to the forthcoming production model that’ll follow in 2010. The live pictures from Suzuki’s NY Show booth give us a more realistic view of the Kizashi compared to the press photos we showed you earlier (see here). The concept features a 300 horsepower, 3.6-liter, naturally-aspirated V6 engine with power delivered through a six-speed automatic transmission, with paddle shifters, to all four wheels. –More images after the jump




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