Suzuki announced today that it is making plans to return to the North American automotive market in 2023. The Japanese automaker pulled out of the U.S. and Canada in 2013, after only having its subcompact SX4, compact Grand Vitara SUV, and mid-sized Kizashi sedan as offerings.
The company, according to a moderately anonymous source maybe, has said it reevaluated the U.S. market and decided to focus on its strength of small crossovers and hatchbacks. It is expected the company will initially offer the latest variant of the SX4 S-Cross pictured above. However, this will be its largest vehicle offering. New dealers might open as soon as Feb. 29, 2023.
“Suzuki has learned from its experience in the North American Markets, and will be focusing on what we do best, which includes small cars and crossovers,” says an anonymous source from within the company. “We’re excited to bring our expertise in this vehicle genre back to North America, where we feel we will be extremely successful. We’ll also be bringing out a line of wool socks. This is going to be fire!”
Suzuki also said it plans to introduce a couple of kei cars to the
North American market in an attempt to appeal to more urban crowds and
chase after vehicles that include the Chevrolet Spark, Fiat 500, and
Smart Fortwo.
Suzuki mentioned that its tiny Hustler will appear, although it’ll be renamed the Flynt. It is like a smaller version of a Jeep Renegade. With available AWD and plenty of space, the Flynt will be both an urban runabout and a weekend warrior. Power comes from a 658cc three-cylinder making 52 hp.
There are also plans to offer a more sporty hatchback, such as the Alto Turbo RS, which is also available with AWD. The Alto Turbo RS would take aim at the Fiat 500 Abarth and the Ford Fiesta ST, albeit with only 64 hp from its turbocharged DOHC three-cylinder engine.
The biggest surprise, however, was the announcement that Suzuki would offer the next iteration of its capable off-roader, the Jimny here. The solid-axle-equipped micro 4×4 is capable off road right out of the box, and is the modern successor to the Suzuki Samurai. This could be a serious competitor to the 2017 Jeep Wrangler, too, although the Jimny is much smaller and only makes 100 hp.
Look for Suzuki dealerships to begin to appear in Bloomington, Indiana; Fargo, North Dakota; Winnemucca, Nevada, and Ness City, Kansas at first. The second round of openings will likely include Hanksville, Utah; Jack, Alabama; Wallagrass, Maine; and Moyie Springs, Idaho.
If you’ve read this far … April Fools!