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Suzuki is ending joint development projects with GM for hybrid and fuel-cell technology.

The move follows Suzuki's tie-in with Volkswagen AG, which was announced last month. Consequently, VW is now Suzuki's largest shareholder, with a 19.9 per cent stake in the company.

"Suzuki is in a comprehensive alliance with Volkswagen. In every field including hybrid, diesel and electric cars, we will carry out joint development with them, or we will learn from them," Osamu Suzuki, chairman a...Read the full article

I think Suzuki are better-off sharing technology with VW. More potential here than with GM.

Doesn't Suzuki use the FIAT multijet diesels?....in the swift, splash, and SX4?

nick80:

Doesn't Suzuki use the FIAT multijet diesels?....in the swift, splash, and SX4?

I may not be 100% right here, but I believe in the swift and splash they use the 1.3 gm/fiat unit (it was "co-developed, though mostly by Fiat). In the SX4 they use a PSA 1.6 (90bhp) and the fiat 1.9 (120) is being replaced with a fiat 2.0 (135bhp). As for using a renault diesel engine - not seen one of those, not to say they don't though.

Sorry for the 2nd post - I hit the post button by accident. This could work out very well for Suzuki if they are given access to VAG engines. Developing their own has cost them a fortune (when they do it) and now the VAG engines are some of the best around (compare the awesome TSI units to the crap they produced only a couple of years ago (FSI engines excluded). Maybe they'll also benefit from using VAG products on the reliability front - I've heard of lots of issues with the gearbox fitted to the 1.9 sx4.

Awww! I hope there isn't another raid on the VW parts bin.

I couldn't stand yet another version, of a version, of a version of a Golf......

Please.

 

Stephen Guckel:

Awww! I hope there isn't another raid on the VW parts bin.

I couldn't stand yet another version, of a version, of a version of a Golf......

Please.

Exactly what I thought when I first read it - not another vw that looks slightly different but not much - with a similar dull interior etc

With only 20% ownership I don't think we'll end up seeing Suzukis on VW platforms just yet. Then again, the replacements for the Alto/splash etc will need platforms and they'll have to come from somewhere... I hope Suzuki mostly limit themselves to VAG engines and VAG use Suzuki for access to the emerging markets. I don't see a place for Suzuki in the traditional audi/vw/skoda/seat sense - though they could try and become the VW 4x4 specialists...

Autocar:

Suzuki is ending joint development projects with GM for hybrid and fuel-cell technology.

 

I'd call that a lucky escape.

Is quite obvious that Suzuki will have to end all JV projects with GM now that VW has taken 19.9% stake in Suzuki. VW buying into Suzuki is a short cut entry into the Indian market & partially the South East Asian market. Over the past few years or so VW has been talking to Proton (Malaysian national car maker) on the possibility of a strategic alliance or technical tie up. The talk fell through & looking at hindsight it was a blessing in disguise for VW. IMHO, buying into Suzuki is the better bet for VW as Proton has nothing to offer VW in terms of technology & so forth. VW has been officially selling VW cars in Malaysia for the past 2-3 years. Their market penetration in Malaysia so far has been less than 1% or there about. Their best seller is the GTI. Same applies to Audi or if not worse as Audi's cars are more expensive than VW. All VWs & Audis are fully imported models whereas certain Mercs & BMs are locally assembled in Malaysia. Is just not finanacially feasible for VW & Audi to local assemble their cars in Malaysia in view of the small volume of cars they sell. I understand VW has commenced building a plant in Indonesia to assemble the new Sharan / VW's MPV. MPV is the vehicle of choice in Indonesia. Surprisingly VW & Audi have never been strong in the South East Asian market. Suzuki has a fairly strong market in India. Also Suzuki is quite well known for their small compact cars. They are not strong in the diesel engine department whereas VW is. Come to think of it, if I am not mistaken Suzuki does not even produce their own diesel engine. In time to come there will be sharing of parts, platforms & engines. This will reduce R&D cost & development time for new models. With Suzuki being the latest on board the VW Group. I think for the time being there will not be any further acquisition as it costs money to acquire. Recent acquisition of Prosche has cost them a fairly big chunk of money even by VW's standard.

 

theonlydt:

As for using a renault diesel engine - not seen one of those, not to say they don't though.

 

The Vitara certainly used to be powered by a Renault diesel.

 

A completely new Jimny sized 4x4 with a 1.6 VW diesel could sell well.

Zeddy:

The Vitara certainly used to be powered by a Renault diesel.

You're right. I haven't seen a Grand Vitara in so long I'd forgotten it even existed. Pretty under-engined really, they'd have been better off using the 150bhp version.