RIP Suzuki

[Tyler.M]

Well gents, it looks like Suzuki's car branch has finally bit the bullet in the U.S. market. I guess I can't say I'm surprised, but it is a little sad. There was always a little softspot for their micro suv's' and backwards design language. They never really made good cars, it must be said, but whenever a car manufacturer that's been around for awhile pulls out of the US market, its a sad day. You can argue whatever you want about how suzuki sucks and I'll agree with you, but... still. They mighta been able to turn their shit around...eventually.

Also, am I the only one that thought some of their latest cars actually looked okay? I kinda dug the japanese passatness of the Kizashi. FYI, won't affect motorcycles, but pulling out of the car market in the U.S. (the world's largest) is pretty risky business and could be indicative of larger problems in the parent company. Thoughts? I own a suzuki bike so maybe I care a little bit more then the rest of youse kids.

Jalopnik wrote a good piece on this. http://jalopnik.com/5957964/suzukis-us-d...bankruptcy

[CaptainHenreh]

Good riddance. Suzuki only ever made two cars worth a damn:

The Swift
The Samurai


And they haven't made either in years.

[BLINGMW]

I had a Kizashi rental once, it seemed better than the Hyundais and Kias I've had. :dunno: Oh well!

[Evan]

Victims of the strong yen. Japanese manufacturers cant afford to build cars in japan anymore.
Shitsubishi might be next (deservingly)
Hopefully Mazda isnt after them!

I like the kizashi, nice styling and some solid features. Suzuki's best thing going for it was its transferrable 100k warranty (korean's 100k warranty didnt transfer if it was sold used) but they marketed eskimos and sled dogs instead of that.

[Jake]

I drove a Kizashi once. It was "fine" but bland. It looked like a two-year-old Jetta without the badge.

[Tyler.M]

Yeah... Maybe its just my nostalgiaboner from the samurai that makes me think this is a bad thing. America's car market already sucks enough as it is, in comparison to other regions. Suzuki looked like it coulda had potential.... maybe. You know they wanted to put a 270hp engine the kizashi?rs