Suzuki Bankruptcy, backing away from US auto market
 

Suzuki, Small-Car Maker, Gives Up on U.S. Market - NYTimes.com

Big deal for me, as my dealership is next door to Suzuki of Wichita. The dealer employs about 80 people and was the largest Suzuki seller for 3 years running. I hope they can get another new car franchise. Wichita does not have Audi or Land Rover, but that's a complete demographic change.

One of the major partners of the dealership also owns the Subaru dealer, which doesn't have near the marketing or manpower budget Suzuki has. Maybe he'll move the franchise to this location?

It is very nice to get their runoff business...

I had a Sammy. It was great off pavement, not so great on pavement. They still have a cult following.

I see from the article the motorcycles will still be available.

Lets hope he doesn't decide to be a Mitsubishi dealer. I'm sad to see Suzuki cars go, they had decent products (SX4 and Kizashi) but they never brought the new swift over.

pretty sad. I had an Aerio, put over 120k on it in two years and no issues. Ridden & driven in Zukes all over th eworld, great vehicles.

Oh yeah, and I want a Sammi tintop with a VW diesel in it......

Like my Sidekick.

Well crap! I have about 92K on my 08 SX4 AWD and it has been problem free except few wheelbearings done under warranty.

I had an '89 sammy that I loved. It was great off road...a real blast to play with.

Um, they still make cars?

If you watch those car tv shows like Trucks they praise the Samuri in regards to it's off road capability.

Their cars weren't designed for American oinkers and their lardy arses.

The SX4 has as much room if not more than the Subaru Impreza. My brother bought the Impreza a few months after we bought the SX4. The Subaru was more plush on the inside but didn't have the ground clearence . You kind of sat down into the Subaru as where the SX4 was more of the Crossover.
The Subaru was also about 2500 more and no 0% financing which is what I got.

The short wheelbase gives it better agility off-road.

SX4 tested on a Jeep/dirt bike trail


2011 Suzuki SX4 Off-road Review & Drive - YouTube

some serious mud:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6mBUgFA2mz0&feature=related

I thought they were pretty neat little cars. Pretty much what Subaru's used to be before their current bloated incarnation. Might be able to get one on the cheap now.

I don't know about anyone else's area, but I can't recall ever seeing a Suzuki car ad. There was a dealer mid-state that had some radio commercials. One of the taglines was "(Suzuki)...the best cars you never heard of." I don't know if that was a subtle jab at Suzuki corporate for more advertising support, unfortunately it seems to have been true.

GEO Metro was a Suzuki Swift.