I still think not introducing the Swift was the thing that killed Suzuki NA.

"not for canada - australian in disguise" (for-canada) 06/12/2017 at 22:28 • Filed to: None

2

19

The Swift the rest of the world got did a better job of recreating the original Mini than Mini itself. It’s utterly classless, practical, fun to drive, and attractive. Instead, Canada (not even all of North America) got the Swift+, a rebadged Daewoo.

What a big, fat, mistake. Suzuki is a waste. Suzuki could’ve made a small, but very stable niche in the cheap, fun, small car segment. But instead, they decided to be a budget Mitsubishi. Shame.

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > not for canada - australian in disguise 06/12/2017 at 22:47

2

I don’t think Suzuki could have been saved by the Swift in the US. Small cars aren’t big sellers here.

not for canada - australian in disguise > TheTurbochargedSquirrel 06/12/2017 at 22:51

0

Maybe not in the States, but if Suzuki Canada hadn’t reversed their decision not to shut down and started selling more of their small car lineup, it would’ve worked.

Probenja > not for canada - australian in disguise 06/12/2017 at 23:01

1

I feel like Suzuki would be a hit in Canada, pretty much their entire lineup (including the Swift) has awd, and I’m sure the new Vitara/S-Cross would do well in NA. Plus the Jimny is still a thing.

not for canada - australian in disguise > Probenja 06/12/2017 at 23:07

0

Suzuki always did a LOT better in Canada than the USA. Makes sense if you think about it, their cars fit Canada quite nicely.

BaconSandwich is tasty. > not for canada - australian in disguise 06/12/2017 at 23:34

1

When I was first looking at buying a car, they had a Swift+ on one of the lots in my parent’s home town. I remember hearing that in order to get it to go into reverse, you had to pull up on the shifter (it was a manual).

Part of me is glad I went for a Honda Civic instead.

gmctavish needs more space > not for canada - australian in disguise 06/12/2017 at 23:47

2

I always had a soft spot for Suzuki. I really like how the actual Swifts look, and they would’ve been cheap enough here that I could actually consider a new or slightly used one. But apparently we can’t have nice things. I always liked the SX4, too. Part of me wants one as a daily, even though I have a daily. Also the Kizashi was cool.

SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media > not for canada - australian in disguise 06/13/2017 at 00:05

1

And now they’ve just launched the new Swift:

...but not in North America.

Two engines (1.4 L 4 cyl and 1.0 L 3 cyl turbo).

Waiting to see when the GTi model gets a launch date...

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > not for canada - australian in disguise 06/13/2017 at 00:11

1

Suzuki needed $5.00 gas to stay around.

Aremmes > BaconSandwich is tasty. 06/13/2017 at 01:00

2

You don’t pull the shifter up to go into reverse, instead you pull up a ring around the base of the shifter knob.

Source: drove a Kizashi GTS 6MT for three years.

TA4K > SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media 06/13/2017 at 03:17

0

*Swift Sport.

Svend > not for canada - australian in disguise 06/13/2017 at 03:40

1

The Swift is too, erm, blah. It’s non descript.

The Baleno isn’t bad from the front.

The Ignis is quirky looking

The SX-4 Cross

That grille is too Buick.

The rest of the range is even more bland.

They are as bland as the Mitsubishi range.

BaconSandwich is tasty. > Aremmes 06/13/2017 at 10:28

0

Right, my bad.

Nauraushaun > not for canada - australian in disguise 06/13/2017 at 23:17

1

Has a 1.5 ever sold decently in NA?

not for canada - australian in disguise > Nauraushaun 06/14/2017 at 00:03

0

I honestly don’t know. There’s the new turbo Civic, which is selling really well, but I don’t know of any others.

Nauraushaun > not for canada - australian in disguise 06/14/2017 at 18:17

1

Oh yes, but the Swift is no turbo Civic. It’s just a 1.5l economy car. No turbo. There’s a sport version without a turbo. Americans tend to laugh at anything below about 3l.

AdverseMartyr > Nauraushaun 06/15/2017 at 04:30

0

JDM begs to differ:

http://www.goo-net.com/usedcar/spread/goo/12/700040309430170408002.html

Nauraushaun > AdverseMartyr 06/15/2017 at 05:38

0

Turbo, maybe. But 1000cc? Good luck selling that in America.

I read there’s a 1.3 turbo as well. It’s not appropriate.

AdverseMartyr > Nauraushaun 06/15/2017 at 09:58

0

You were saying there was no version with a turbo. I just thought you’d want to know that the Swift comes in AWD with a turbo option. I’m thinking about one as the second/smaller car.

Nauraushaun > AdverseMartyr 06/15/2017 at 23:00

0

You’re right. :(