AUTOS: Suzuki Calls It Quits In U.S.

AUTOS: Suzuki Calls It Quits In U.S.

Suzuki ends car and SUV sales in the United States as the American arm of the Japanese automaker files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

American Suzuki Motor Corp. is pulling out of the United States and filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, the automaker announced Monday.

Poor U.S. sales are the primary reason, although Suzuki also cited tough competition from other brands and unfavorable exchange rates for its Japan-built vehicles. So far this year, U.S. sales of Suzuki cars and SUVs were just 21,188 vehicles from its 246 dealers, the worst performance by a non-luxury brand besides the shuttered Saab and niche Smart, according to Automotive News.

"No one should be surprised by this announcement, given Suzuki's lackluster sales performance in recent years,? said Edmunds.com senior analyst Jessica Caldwell. ?The company has had low margins, low-priced cars, and small volume, which is far from the ideal combination. And unlike with exotic or luxury brands, it's nearly impossible over the long term to sustain a brand on such little volume when you don't have a healthy margin."

The bankruptcy affects only the U.S. arm of Suzuki and not the Japanese parent company, Suzuki Motor Corp. Suzuki motorcycle and marine sales are separate entities that are not affected by the bankruptcy and will continue business in the U.S. as usual, the company said.

Bob Golfen, Automotive Editor for SPEED.com, is a veteran auto writer based in Phoenix, Arizona, with a passion for collector cars, car culture and the automotive lifestyle. SPEED.com fans can email Bob Golfen at

Source: http://automotive.speedtv.com/article/autos-suzuki-calls-it-quits-in-us/

ben roethlisberger downton abbey season 2 2013 dodge dart shameless kwame brown martin luther king day blue ivy