Suzuki Swift coming to America!
In Suzuki’s ambitious plans to grow its global sales, GreenCarCongress is reporting via a Japanese subscription-based news site that the Japanese automaker will be bringing its Swift subcompact to the North American market as early as 2007. Suzuki has obviously noticed the “Small is big” mentality that’s gaining cred with consumers over here. As fuel efficiency rises in priority among North American consumers, a vehicle like the Swift emerges as a solid business case. While Suzuki has not indicated what powertrains would be offered for the Swift over here, the thought of a MINI-like pocket rocket with a Hyundai-like price couldn’t be more tempting.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
karen 2:56AM (2/15/2006)
the new swift has been on sale in australia for almost two years i have a 5 door manual with the 1.5lt petrol and just love it! it has large car safty with twin air bag and A.B.S as standard. it handles realy well (very stable)and ite motor has good responcivenes.
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Jean LaPalme 5:57PM (2/20/2006)
Went to see the Swift and the Aerio and they are
bigger inside than they look from the outside.
Jean D. LaPalme.
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Steve 11:35AM (2/22/2006)
I'm thinking if the actual Japaneese company announced they are bringing the swift to north america then they are most likely talking about the "real" Suzuki Swift and not the Daewoo kalos based swift that is sold in Canada. The EPA's mileage figures can't be for the "real" Suzuki Swift because even a 2.5 litre Nissan Sentra get better mileage than what they are quoting for the "Swift".
I agree with most people here, I'd love to have the opportunity to purchase a "real" Suzuki Swift here, I currently own a 2000 Grand Vitara and it has been wonderfully reliable. I really wanted a Suzuki Aerio, but Suzuki never really brought over the right content mix to make that car a must have, I was looking for something with head protecting side air-bags, and a sunroof so I ended up with a 2004 Nissan Sentra instead of the Suzuki - Hopefully Suzuki will package the Swift better and won't link the fun options like the sunroof to the un-fun options like the automatic transmission (they do this in the Grand Vitara and that kind of packaging makes the 2006 Grand Vitara very undesireable in my opinion)
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BJ 4:14PM (2/23/2006)
I've driven an Aerio before for about a month while my car was in the shop for repairs and I was impressed overall with the amount of space and how it drove. It could've gotten a bit better mileage I suppose but it seemed a very solid car for the price.
Everything I've seen so far about the Swift has been very positive and I love the look. I'd definitely consider replacing the wife's car with that if/when it's released in the US. If not that then the SX4 looks promising as well and a bit larger then the Swift.
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Will Jong Ill 1:21PM (5/12/2008)
I've seen these Swifts in Taiwan and they look *really* beautiful. I couldn't believe suzuki had such a great car under its hat and wasn't selling them in the states. It's like a BMW Mini -- except it looks a lot better. I have a Ford Focus SVT that I love but I will sell that car in a minute and get the Swift if they indeed start selling them here (which it doesn't seem like they are yet).
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jimi 2:09PM (6/05/2008)
I`m here in Peru and am seeing these new Swifts for the first time. The styling and dimensions (as well as what I knew about past models available in the US) prompted me to look them up.
I REALLY hope they don`t blow it with the 2010 redesign by doing the typical ^model-inflation^ that everyone else does. Can`t car manufacturers understand that we like certain models to STAY small. We don`t want more leg/shoulder/head/butt/trunk-room if it means tacking on needless pounds and inches. I like a small, easy-to-park-in-tiny-spaces, fuel efficient, good-handling car. Don`t pull a Honda, and inflate your sub-compact. THAT`S THE FREAKIN´APPEAL!
Keep it under 23-2400lbs PLEASE!.. Less is always welcome, of course. Oh and make a California-friendly Diesel! I want to break 50mpg like the good old days!
Will Jong Ill 9:52PM (6/14/2008)
AMEN!! And what's with the wait until 2010? I hope pray they keep the car exactly the same visually.
The only thing I'm mentally debating is which would be more awesome: a light weight 210hp turbo version or a light weight 40MPG+ version. Can I have one of each? PLEASE Suzuki - gas is $4.50 / gallon. America is ready!
Will Jong Ill 1:34PM (6/18/2008)
Nice Swift video from British car show 5th Gear.
Note, the Swift looks even better in person.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lU89JpVmtwk
Jet 1:37AM (3/19/2006)
Ok to clear things up.... the New Suzuki Swift that is coming to North America is NOT a Daewoo and has nothing to do with the Aveo or the current Swift+ that is being sold in Canada. The current Swift+ being sold in Canada is the same car as the Aveo, in other words, that one is a Daewoo.
The New Suzuki Swift coming to north America is Suzuki designed by Japanese and Indian Suzuki engineers. It's a totally new design from the ground up.
Ok as for the Suzuki SX4...... the new Swift is NOT based on the SX4, it's quite the opposite. The SX4 which IS coming to North America also, is based on the Japanes Suzuki Swift platform. As Suzuki Japan themselves call it.."SX4 is a highly modified Swift and slightly bigger.
So yes, BOTH the SX4 and the New Swift are coming to North America.
Fiat will also be selling the car under their own badge in Europe. And before the question starts..... the only fiat part on the new SX4 is the Diesel engine (and aparently the tranny in Europe). All the rest of the car is pure Suzuki.
And finally..... yes the new SX4 is replacing the current Aerio in North America. The Aerio will continue on under the Liana name in other parts of the world though.
As for the Verona, the Forenza, and the Reno, those are korean rebadges that Suzuki is currently selling.
With GM now having sold most of its stock in Suzuki, it's not clear if Suzuki will coninue selling rebadge versions for much longer past the new upcoming versions of these cars. The new Verona and Forenza due to be released in 2007 will most likely continue on until 2009, at which point Suzuki may replace them with their own Japanese developed platforms. Which would make perfect sense with Suzuki's current long term plan for global sales.
ok hope that helped clear things up.
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Jae 7:12PM (4/13/2006)
I have a 1995 Geo Metro base/fleet 3dr model w/ 1L 3cyl engine and I get 54mpg on the highway and 48 city. This is gonna be great! I've owned a Suzuki Swift GTi (1992) and a 1996 Swift 3dr. My li'l Metro is getting up there in age and mileage and has survived two accidents in it's life. Bring it on!
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Steven Greeson 10:46PM (4/23/2006)
I have a 1989 Geo Metrow and get 49 MPG. I have looked for one as a parts car But they are hard to find. When Gas hit $3.00 everyone started fixing up old ones out of the junk yard. If you bring this car back with its old MPG. You could make a ment. I know I would bye one.
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Oblio 2:07PM (7/20/2006)
My 1990 Geo Metro (aka Suzuki Swift 3-cyl) cost me $6,000 brand new, weighed an efficient 1,650 lbs., and achieved 45 mpg. Gas was 1.29 per gallon. Except for the dumb "attached to the door" seatbelts, those were sure the days!
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Oblio 2:15PM (7/20/2006)
SWIFT Spec Sheet:
http://www.suzuki.com.au/downloads/specs_download_swift.pdf
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Jameel Hosein 1:06PM (7/26/2006)
Please bring the Swift GT/GTi and I would buy as many as I can afford and encourage all my friends and family to buy one too.
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robert 12:39PM (7/27/2006)
I had an 89' Suzuki Swift GTI and loved it. Sold it at 60,000 miles-nothing ever needed to be fixed. I recently bought an 05'Aerio SX with under 5,000 miles for my wife. These cars are a bargain even new. Do not pay list. If you look around you can find unbelievable deals on these cars. $3,000-5,000.- off list is a reality and if you buy slightly used you can really steal them. Not too many people know about these cars. Suzuki does very little advertising. I wouldn't buy the Korean versions, Reno, Verona,etc. Stick with the Japanese made cars. If you want Korean, go with Hyundai or Kia but you you won't find the 155 hp that's in the 05-06 Aerios. If the new Swift comes here to the USA I'm definitely buying one. Did you see the yellow WRC Rally car?
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alans scouten 11:40PM (8/05/2006)
Drove one of these in the Loire Valley. A Mini-Cooper without all the cutsies. What all cars could be. Really Smart. To drive a rented one is to wish you did't have to give it back. My local Suzuki dealer says he has never heard of it! Oh boy.......
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kansei 2:36PM (8/16/2006)
I WANT IT NOW!!
I'm dying for this to come to the states, even though I'm in no way ready to give up my Protege5. The swift is just such a clean design. It has the proportions of the Mini cooper that I really like, but with infinitely better (in my opinion) styling. bring it here with a peppy 1.6 and the Swift Sport package and you'll convert my from Mazda (who refuses to bring the Mazda2 to North America).
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jadeN 12:50PM (9/12/2006)
"Thank you for contacting Suzuki Canada.
The Swift does not comply with North American Safety or Emissions standards and Suzuki Canada has no current plans to modify it for sale here.
We would like to explain that market trends are closely studied to give us a better idea of what vehicles are in demand. Then based on our findings, our products and planning department is able to choose those vehicles that best suit the needs of the buying public. We recognize, of course, that these choices may not meet the needs and fulfill the desires of all potential customers.
However, your interest in the Swift has been noted and forwarded to our products and planning department for information and future consideration."
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Mike 9:02PM (10/30/2006)
Hi. Interesting discussion. I am one of those guys hwo had a Chevy(suzuki) sprint back in the late 80's. Yep, the 1.o three banger. I LOVED that car. It always freeked out people with its quickness. Also, it was 100% dependable. Anyway.. what brought me here was a search for some info on the car because.. well... I saw one with manufacturer plates on it near Rochester(Detroit) Michigan, around the first of October 2007. Seriously, it is a cute little motor, and I seriously want one.
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Swifty 9:39PM (2/16/2007)
I contacted the U.S. headquarters to inquire about the Swift coming anytime soon. Their response was "not until the 2010 redesign. Please look at our SX4 instead." Ugh! I don't want 4WD, and would like gas mileage above 35mpg. Oh well. I'd purchase a Swift RIGHT NOW (probably two), but I don't really like any of their other current U.S. offerings. I'd even buy one of the used testers running around their headquarters if they'd let them go. I'd promote the car to no end, free of charge! I REALLY want one of these. Can you import one from Europe? Hopefully the 2010 redesign doesn't ruin the car, if I can wait that long...
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