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Volkswagen to consider Suzuki alliance

By Matt Brogan |

A report this morning from Manager Magazine, in Germany, says Volkswagen is investigating the possibility of an alliance with Suzuki in ultra small car development and production.

It has been reported that the German manufacturer could initially take a 10 per cent stake in the Japanese car and motorcycle company.

“You have see it through an Asian perspective, particularly a Japanese one. There are vehicle sizes and classes that cannot be found here (in Europe),” the report said. “You only see them at the Tokyo auto show, but it is undoubtedly an interesting segment, just have a quick look at the developing markets like India. It’s correct that there is a gap there that could be closed.”

As yet there has been no confirmation from Volkswagen.


 
  • Ben Richards

    VW already makes great small cars! I don’t understand this, the only positive here is that suzuki are japanese.

  • FrugalOne

    *****PRIMO!*****

    Good for vw, they may *finally* learn how to make build long-lasting-quality, with NO dramas and NO issues in a vehicle

    Already have a working relationship with FIAT Group

    Cheers

    F-0

  • Elitist

    This deal gets my seal of approval.

  • Absi

    this would be great for Suzuki, as they may get access to some of VWs’ awesome engines ….. heres hoping!

  • f1worldchamp

    Doesn’t really make sense to me car wise, but there were rumours around about Volskwagen wanting to get into motorbikes in a partnership with KTM, so maybe they will use Suzuki for both cars and bikes.

  • DakkaDakka

    Yes FrugalOne, I couldn’t agree more. I for one wish we could still see classic Beetles and Kombis getting around the place. Most of these things were consigned to scrap yards within a few years of being built, and now only survive as fading memories in the decaying minds of ageing hippies and beatniks.

  • TSI

    Swift 1.4 TSI 118kw…WOW!!!

  • Myke

    I heard Suzuki wanted to join the Fiat Group Alliance, I think joining Volkswagen Group is a much better option. If successful, in a few years time I think Suzuki could be right on the tail of many other car companies.

  • Elitist

    Suzuki provided the 4×4 from the Vitara for the Fiat Panda range and that was the extent of the deal.

  • FrugalOne

    Eltist^^^^

    Panda 4×4 drivetrain technology was origionally supplied by SteyrDaimlerPuch of Austria.

    The FIAT that is *similar* to the SX4 Suzuki, is the Sedici

    Cheers

    F-0

  • davie

    I know why this is happening.

    With the ability to access advanced Japanese Technology, VW will finally discover how to put the indicator stalk on the right hand side in right hand drive cars.

    Maybe.

  • Socioeconomic Discriminator

    Dear Davie,

    Work hard, get yourself educated, and save up to buy a car that has the indicators on the correct (ie: left) side of the steering column. Indicators on the right in a RHD car are just…well…cheap.

  • davie

    Mr Socio….

    alas, you confuse your ego and badge snobbery with the reality of VW’s accounting for the bottom line.

    Indicators on the left in RHD cars are a sign of cheapness. i.e. VW and other euro makes save money by simply transferring their LHD steering column to the RHD cars without putting the stalks the other way.

  • Alan

    I think VW wants to tap into Suzuki’s ability to produce cheap small cars to enter the growing car market in developing countries like India, where Suzuki already has strong presence. Just a thought really..

  • Alan

    Davie, i agree about the indicator on the wrong side for RHD cars, i do wonder if any cars outside of japanese gets it right. I know most european cars have it on the left side, but what about british cars?

  • Captain Mainwaring

    Ben Richards – Volkswagen might make great SMALL cars (ie Golf size) but Suzuki are the experts at ULTRA-SMALL cars (ie. Japanese Kei-class 660cc). This is where the world is heading, particularly for urban transport. And the developing market scenario is also very relevant to this.
    This is a very sensible alliance.

  • phillip

    Alan and Davie: some people (myself included) grew up with European cars and actually prefer the indicator on the left. It’s what you’re used to I guess.

  • Neo Utopia

    Sounds like a symbiotic alliance to me, Volkswagen teaches Suzuki how to better present their products and Suzuki teaches Volkswagen how to connect the wires up properly.

  • pirakavezok

    I hope this will work out – much like the Nissan/Renault alliance with cross fertilisation of positive attributes.

  • observer

    Eltist

    FrugalOne is right…also Fiat provides Suzuki Europe with their 1.9 Turbo Diesel in the alliance deal.

    New Sedice model in the pipeline can be viewed online at “Italiaspeed”

    They will most likely use the new MujltiJet Petrol and Multi Air Turbo Diesel next generation engines which are starting to come online now within the Fiat Group.

    As for VW/Suzuki cant see why a similar agreement wouldnt benefit both parties.

    Cheers.

  • Shak

    Davie ur correct. I drove the new golf recently and i almost had a rear ender on the M5 because i indicated on way and it turned the wipers on. And if you just tap the indicator it only binks three times and doesnt allow you to keep it on for a while.

  • AAA

    Which 1 is more reliable? Suzuki or VW?

  • Neo Utopia

    Shak, the indicator was designed to flash three times if breifly pressed and not clicked on, it makes driving just that tinny bit easier.

    Suzuki is definately more reliable, being from that country where reliability and efficiency is paramount and car aesthetics is sometimes distasteful to us Caucasians. So if Volkswagen can teach them how to better design cars for improved appearance and percieved quality then Suzuki will surely teach Volkswagen how to make a modern car last as long as theirs.

  • p stakounis

    I love my swift sport just as it is and if I had wanted a vw I would have bought one.There are more than enough vw based cars being made already.I hope this never happens.