Will Volkswagen Take Over Suzuki?

I liked the SX4 but nothing else... could be a decent move to enter volkswagen into motorcycles maybe?

That would be a shame. Suzuki has some nice vehicles coming out now and seems like they have an opportunity to finally build some momentum in the US.

Ah, interesting. I hadn't thought about that. I know VW has been interested for some time in acquiring a motorcycle brand.

I like the current-gen Grand Vitara. It's truly off-road capable, and sort of like an industrial-strength CRV. I also like the new SX4. Gas mileage on both these model could be better, however.

Yes, the new Kishashi looks to be a real winner.

I've always been disappointed in Suzuki autos. They're not bad vehciles, but they've always seemed to be behind everyone else, especially in the drivetrain.

Frankly, I don't think Suzuki cars would be in this position if their cars were designed and built with even a third of the passion and excellence of their motorcycles. I'm saying this as the original owner of a 2002 SV650.

The Kizashi seemed to me to be a small step in the right direction...until I realized that it's just an Opel Insignia with a cheap interior. If I wanted an Opel Insignia, I'd go with the new Buick Regal and get a nice interior (and maybe a turbo) in addition to the tidy dimensions and sharp handling.

@ Mitlov: Actually, the Kizashi bears no relation to the Insignia or any other GM product; Suzuki did this one all in house -- as with the Swift. The only connection this car has to GM is Suzuki's plan to offer it in the future with a GM-sourced 3.6-liter V6 and 6-speed automatic. - E. Riches

This sort of smacks of what GM did with (to) the G8 sedan; they finally have something people will actually want and then put it down like a mad dog. The difference here being VW won't leave something even less people want in its wake, like GM is doing with Buick.
What would happen if GM went bankrupt again and this time Volkswagen came to their rescue?

Saw the Kizashi at an auto show and thought it's a very decent car. It took on what made the 2nd gen VW passat a successful midsize sedan-small on the outside and nice package on the inside with unbelieveable interior volume. Quality of the interior is very good, and better than anything that has an American name plate in the midsize segment. I guess I can understand why VW would not want to offer it here in America as for sure it will take a lot of sales away from the Passat, Jetta and perhaps even the NMS.

@ eriches--Regarding the alleged Insignia connection, I was going off of Autoblog's review of the Kizashi posted this morning. Autoblog just issued a correction of that point. You are correct; the Kizashi borrows nothing from the Insignia.

On the other hand, VW's existing dealer network would be a great way to get the Euro-market Suzuki Swift here, probably filling that rapidly growing market segment a lot more cheaply than the VW Polo or even the Skoda Fabia could.

I'm still hoping for a Polo/Fabia TDI though.

Equator?

If you go to the Suzuki web site, the Equator pickup is only listed as a 2009 model. It's not listed with the 2010 models.

All models (2010, that is)

http://www.suzukiauto.com/all_suzuki_models/?r=left

2009 models

http://www.suzukiauto.com/2009/?r=left

Might this be a hint of what's to come?

Interesting observation rsholland. Maybe the VW Amarok pickup (currently set to be sold in Latin America and Europe, but not the US) could be sold as a Suzuki pickup in the States? The Suzuki badge is a better fit with the compact pickup crowd than the VW badge, because of the dirtbike, ATV, and GSXR crowd looking for a truck to haul their toys. And the Amarok would stick out like a sore thumb at a US VW dealership. Not at all a good fit for the mix of boy racers, sorority girls, and yuppies that buy VWs here (before anyone flames me for that comment, I drive a MkIV Jetta myself).