Topic: VW - Suzuki marriage?

[sailor723]

 Interesting development.  I didn't realize Suzuki was so big on a global basis. This could certainly get Toyota's attention if VW continues to acquire more of Suzuki in the future

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/vw-buys-20-stake-in-suzuki-as-it-seeks-no-1-global-ranking/article1393754/

[Spheric]

VW needs a bigger foothold in India and this partial acquisition provides them with that.

Besides that, I couldn't help noticing the styling similarities between the forthcoming Kizashi and current gen Jetta.....probably just a complete coincidence.

[sparky]

When I got my Suzuki Esteem back in '01, I was surfing the net and learned -- to my great pride and pleasure -- that the Esteem was "India's favourite luxury car." And I thought it was just a practical, thrifty little wagon.

[Mitlov]

Don't forget that Suzuki is a powerhouse in the kei car market and has a badass motorcycle division as well.  Suzuki's presence in India, plus those two things, makes this make sense (it didn't make sense to me when I was just considering Suzuki's North American car lineup).

[mwqa]

Hopefully, it'll be a better marriage than the Suzuki/GM one. I went on a test drive at a Suzuki dealership just after GM sold its stake and the dealer I was chatting with was very enthusiastic about Suzuki going it alone. He said that GM had hobbled them in the North American market, not wanting the competition.

The VW and Suzuki seem to be very distinct in products and branding, so I hope it'll work out better.

Sounds like it'll be to Suzuki's benefit, though. They seem very conservative with their technology and they need help in that regard. 

[gta_driver]

Maybe the Suzuki marriage will make VW products more reliable and durable beyond the initial warranty stage?

[vdk]

Maybe the Suzuki marriage will make VW products more reliable and durable beyond the initial warranty stage?

Ouch!