Currently manufactured only in Japan, exported to America, Australia, New Zealand, China, India and closer to home, Singapore. Production in India is also supposed to commence within this year. There has been some rumors that the Kizashi is poised to make its local debut, priced close to a top range Civic / Corolla Altis. But things have quite down significantly.
Suzuki Malaysia have made great strides starting from just a single model business plan with the Swift. However it hasn't been able to repeat the success. The SX4 sedan was quietly discontinued. It's latest model launch - the Indian (Maruti) developed Alto (A-star) was a forgettable one. Hardly making any impact, for very obvious reasons. Like I mentioned before, cute cars don't sell. Learn from the previous generation March / Micra and VW's New Beetle. Hence the unisex appeal of the current March / Micra and the next Beetle.
The Kizashi, even if it ever makes it here is not going to light any fire on the sales charts. The Kizashi was slow seller from America to China. So don't hold your breath for this car.
2011 Suzuki Swift AZ-series
The current EZ series Swift is sold locally in semi-CKD form. Production in Hungary and Japan, currently the only source for the Swift has just begun in late 2010 and it's difficult to speculate when will we get the AZ Swift. CKD operations typically take about 12 to 18 months after their line-off at their principal leader plants. Although it is difficult to imagine the current model soldiering on beyond 2012, especially with strong competition from newcomers like Ford's highly acclaimed Fiesta.
With a new, smaller 1.4-litre K14B series engine compared to the outgoing EZ series Swift's 1.5-litre M15A, power output has been reduced slightly from 74kW/133Nm to 70kW/130Nm. On the upside however is better economy, at 5.5 litres per 100km (versus 6.3 before) for manual transmission models. Although most say that owners won't notice the performance gap as the car's electronics have been fettled to give a sharper response. NVH is also improved, 3dB quieter at 120 km/h as are the larger and more grown up cabin comfort.
2011 Swift Dzire
A sedan version of the latest generation Swift. Unlikely to be sold here. Historically, Suzuki sedans have never been well accepted. Back in the 90s, the Swift sedan was sold in Singapore, the SX4 sedan was also quietly discontinued in Malaysia after only a couple of years in the market.
The current generation Dzire, on sale mainly in India.
2012 Suzuki Eco-car
Little is known about this soon to be made in Thailand model. But we do know that it will be a 1.3-litre (or smaller) model delivering at least 20 km per liter of petrol. It could be a variant of the Splash / Alto, but fitted with micro-hyrid engine stop-start features to deliver the fuel economy range. Rumor also has it that Suzuki's partner VW could be involved.
2012 Splash
Not much is known yet, but the existing Splash was co-developed with then Suzuki's partner, GM, via its European arm Opel as a rebadged Opel Agila. Now that Suzuki is in partnership with VW, the European press has suggested that the next generation Splash will receive VW's famed TSI engine and DSG transmission combo, similar to the Polo.
2012 Suzuki MPV
This will be a replacement for the Suzuki APV, and has been previewed as the R3 Concept MPV. R3 here refers to 3-row seats. It will be the second Suzuki model developed by Indians at Maruti-Suzuki. The primary market will be India and the ASEAN trade bloc, especially Indonesia, the region's largest MPV market. Indonesian market launch will be Q3 2011 and will compete against the dominant Toyota Avanza-Daihatsu Xenia.
However unlike the semi-monocoque frame Avanza / Xenia, the Suzuki will feature a lighter, more comfortable full-monocoque chassis that is based on the SX4 platform. Power will come from a 1.5-litre engine. But because of its design brief which places high emphasis for sales in developing markets, it will feature higher ground clearance to accomodate poor road conditions in India and Indonesia. It is also a 7 or 8-seater proper MPV. It will be more Nissan Grand Livina / Proton Exora and less Perodua Alza, which is actually a 5+2 seater wagon / estate car. Do expect this to make it to Malaysia however.
2013 SX4 replacement
This is rumored to be co-developed with VW and will be based on the replacement model for VW's CrossGolf, dubbed as Rocktan. The VW Rocktan will be slotted above the CrossPolo and below the Tiguan compact SUV. But the VW based SX4 replacement will feature funky styling that will put it in competition with Gen-Y crossovers like the Nissan Juke and Toyota Urban Cruiser. VW's TSI engine and DSG transmission combo is very likely to be featured.
Artist impression of the VW Rocktan.
VW CrossPolo
VW CrossGolf
2013 Grand Vitara replacement
Suzuki product planners are now at a cross-road in planning for future development of the Vitara. On one hand, heavy-duty ladder-frame chassis SUVs are falling out of favor in the market. One only needs to look at Range Rover's 2WD only Vogue to figure that out. If Land Rover, the world's most well known 4x4 specialists has decided to throw in the towel, what more about the rest? Suzuki 4x4s, from Jimnys to Vitaras are long known for their durability and a heavy duty ladder frame chassis is at the core of that identity. But the market for such vehicles are dwindling fast. However there is still a core group of Suzuki 4x4 enthusiasts around the world who appreciates that unique feature of Suzuki 4x4s.
2014 Kizashi based crossover / soft-roader SUV
A wagon-esque like vehicle similar to Subaru Outback. This will be based on the Kizashi's FR platform which can accommodate both FWD and AWD transmission configurations. Again, VW's TSI-DSG powertrain are rumored to be considered.
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