Suzuki Kizashi is NOT dead.

Contrary to earlier reports circulated by many blogs, Suzuki today denied that its first D-segment sedan has been cancelled. American Suzuki Motor Corp reiterated that the Kizashi 3 concept is on track for production and is set to debut at this April's New York Auto Show. This was confirmed by the spokesman for American Suzuki Motor Corp Jeff Holland, in an interview with Automotive News.

Earlier, a Japanese business news daily Nikkei reported that Suzuki CEO Osamu Suzuki merely commented that the Kizashi project could be shelved in view of poor economic conditions.

The Kizashi 3 represents more than just a new model, it's culmination of Suzuki's new found confidence and rising aspiration. After many decades of building hyper-fast motorcycles and Japanese compact sub-660cc "kei" cars, Suzuki is now ready to take on the big boys at the all important North American market (i.e. Camry and Accord). The mid-size / D-segment sedans represent the largest passenger car segment in USA. Despite the economic crisis, the North American market is still the largest car market in the world and there is no way Suzuki can make a decent entry there with their dinky little compact hatches, which are fine for the rest of us but are too small for hamburger and soda feed Yank butts.

Suzuki is currently selling the cheap but unattractive XL7 SUV in USA, co-developed with GM (shared platform with Chevy Equinox and Saturn Vue) but sales have been poor, what more in the current tanking SUV and truck market.


Under the leadership of the controversial Osamu Suzuki, Suzuki Motors have been reaping many success of its early venture into developing markets like India, Pakistan and China when most car manufacturers were still too busy with USA, Europe and Japan. Suzuki knew it could not compete with the big boys in developed markets, thus it had to built on its core competence in the motorcyle business, where Suzuki is very strong in developing markets. That strategy paid off greatly with the rapid motorization of India, where the Maruti-Suzuki partnership is now the top selling foreign car brand in India


In its home country Japan, the Suzuki Wagon R is the best selling "kei" car. Sales of Suzuki cars closely rival that of larger Honda Motor Co. but this is not usually reflected in Japan vehicle sales figures as for some reason, the Japan Automobile Manufacturer's Association does not include registration figures kei cars into the their final tally. Which is why Japan's best selling car are always officially recognised as either Toyota's Corolla or Honda Fit (Jazz), despite the fact that compact kei cars are the largest vehicle segment in Japan. Kei cars are exempted from the mandatory "parking space" fee / tax in some rural areas and are given many form of tax breaks. They can be easily spotted in Japanese cities with their yellow registration plates.

A Mitsubishi i kei car
Besides Honda, Suzuki is the only other manufacturer that can claim expertise in all sorts of internal combustion engine - cars, motorcycles, outboard marine, lawnmowers, etc etc.