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Americans aren't against Suzuki. They just don't care.
bingo. no real hate, but why give a smaller company that may not be around next year the time of day when nothing they sell is significantly better / cheaper than its competition?
Suzuki has a small 'cult like' following., I have owned an XL7 since new on 02 and its an excellent 7 passenger 4wd suv. Built well, reliable, a real 4wd system and full boxed frame. Nothing but good to say about it. Decent gas mileage too. 23 on the highway and 18 back and forth to work
I liked the SX4 a lot but I was able a similary-equipped upper-trim nissan sentra for about $4000 less. I would think that it should be the other way around.
I'd actually like one, they are one of the few companies that offer a reasonably priced AWD that gets decent mileage. Unfortunately, their dealer network is lacking, there isn't one in my area. Zook has always made great motors. The old Samuri is still very popular with the 4x4 crowd, in spite of the media's attempts to trash the vehicle. I wonder just how much the media bashing over the Samuri hurt the entire brand?
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They were always known for motorcycles, not cars.
-yep, kind of like another Japanese company now doing well in the auto industry.
The new Kizashi sport sedan is supposed to be pretty nice, kind of like a better Jetta. Only problem is that it looks like an overstyled Jetta in front, and a more boring Jetta from the side.
Except Suzuki lost is V6 engine source when GM went under. Suzuki just hasn't had any product. It makes primarily small cars that the US market doesn't favor, but the Kizashi is its largest car and could do well, if you can find a place to buy one. They have excellent warranties.
Suzuki is an excellent manufacturer, but just doesn't sell anything of its on in the US until very recently.
Suzuki has never offered but a few offerings, so their target market is rather limited. What they have offered, for the most part, tends to be aimed at smaller segments and not at the mass market segments except for the Vitara (arguably, it's still smaller than most midsize crossovers) No midsize sedans except a couple years for a rebadged Daewoo, no true Civic/Corolla cemptitors.
Just not much over the years in compelling products to draw attention and buyers.
So is the case with Honda... Honda cars were first sold only through Honda Motorcycle franchises through the 1960's and even 1970/71.
Suzuki best market and for a time.. the only US market was Hawaii. GM also sold re-badged Suzuki's under the GEO name.
I own one of Consumer Reports worst cars of all time... a Suzuki Samurai. I've had it for many years and continue to be amazed at how rugged and dependable it is. There really isn't anything like it on the American market... true low gear transfer case with rugged frame construction in a small, go anywhere package.
I mostly use mine to move heavy trailers around the yard and to transport diesel fuel for construction equipment.
In short, they're boring little cars that don't even do "boring" well like Honda and Toyota do. Plus they didn't enter the U.S. car market until the 1980s by which time they were firmly seen as a motorcycle company, so I think a lot of Americans thought it was a motorcycle company that was just now dipping its toes in the car market. Introducing themselves with that tinny, tippy, POS Samurai sure didn't help establish themselves. So bottom line is they just never found their stride here. Personally, I'm surprised Suzuki-badged cars have lasted this long in the U.S. market.
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