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Rick Suzuki resigns as American Suzuki Chairman

besthidxenon — Thu, 01 May 2008 16:01:14 +0000

Despite the positive outlook for Suzuki’s U.S. operations, American Suzuki Chairman Rick Suzuki has announced that he will step down as company head. Suzuki, 60, is the grandson of Michio Suzuki, founder of Suzuki Motor Corp., and has headed Suzuki’s American operations since 1998. Suzuki made the announce in a letter to American Suzuki employees last Friday. Suzuki cited poor sales and earnings under his leadership as his reason for resignation. In the same letter, Suzuki also announced that the automaker will reduce its U.S. workforce by 55 employees through a voluntary retirement package. According to Automotive News, American Suzuki set a five year goal in 2003 to sell 200,000 vehicles and 300,000 motorcycles and ATVs in the U.S., but has only attained about half that volume in both categories. Suzuki topped the 100,000 sales mark for the first time in the U.S. in 2006 and sold 101,884 vehicles last year. But because of the slumping market, Suzuki vehicle sales were off 5 percent through the first two months of the year. Suzuki recently unveiled the Kizashi 3 concept at the New York Auto Show, a vehicle that should hit the U.S. market in 2010 and will likely get Suzuki closer to its goal of 200,000 sales.
[ Rick Suzuki resigns as American Suzuki Chairman Via Hidstores Car Reviews Blogs ]

Suzuki unveils Swift Dzire

besthidxenon — Thu, 01 May 2008 15:37:15 +0000

Maruti Suzuki India Ltd. — a division of Suzuki — took the wraps off of its all-new Swift DZire on Wednesday in New Delhi. The new Swift DZire joind the Swift and SX4 in Suzuki’s Indian lineup and is intended to "redefine the market and stir excitement in the entry level sedan segment." Despite Suzuki’s attempt to stir excitement in the segment, the exterior design of the Swift Dzire could cause potential buyers to feel every emotion except desire. Overall the car’s shape is best described as awkward and it looks as though BMW designer Chris Bangle’s signature "Bangle-butt" is still alive and well. On the inside, the Swift DZire is much more conventional and offers a long list of features not normally found in this segment, including power windows, steering wheel mounted audio controls and automatic climate control. The Swift DZire can be fitted with either a 1.3L gas engine — producing 87 horsepower — or a 1.3L diesel with 140 lb-ft of torque.
[ Suzuki unveils Swift Dzire Via Hidstores Car Reviews Blogs ]

Rick Suzuki resigns as American Suzuki Chairman

admin — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 07:27:33 +0000

Suzuki made the announce in a letter to American Suzuki employees last Friday. Suzuki cited poor sales and earnings under his leadership as his reason for resignation.

In the same letter, Suzuki also announced that the automaker will reduce its U.S. workforce by 55 employees through a voluntary retirement package.

According to Automotive News, American Suzuki set a five year goal in 2003 to sell 200,000 vehicles and 300,000 motorcycles and ATVs in the U.S., but has only attained about half that volume in both categories.

Suzuki topped the 100,000 sales mark for the first time in the U.S. in 2006 and sold 101,884 vehicles last year. But because of the slumping market, Suzuki vehicle sales were off 5 percent through the first two months of the year.

Suzuki recently unveiled the Kizashi 3 concept at the New York Auto Show, a vehicle that should hit the U.S. market in 2010 and will likely get Suzuki closer to its goal of 200,000 sales.

Suzuki unveils Swift Dzire

admin — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 07:31:05 +0000

Despite Suzuki’s attempt to stir excitement in the segment, the exterior design of the Swift Dzire could cause potential buyers to feel every emotion except desire. Overall the car’s shape is best described as awkward and it looks as though BMW designer Chris Bangle’s signature “Bangle-butt” is still alive and well.

On the inside, the Swift DZire is much more conventional and offers a long list of features not normally found in this segment, including power windows, steering wheel mounted audio controls and automatic climate control.

The Swift DZire can be fitted with either a 1.3L gas engine — producing 87 horsepower — or a 1.3L diesel with 140 lb-ft of torque.