Suzuki Kizashi Apex Turbo Concept Packs More than 275HP

Joining the Kizashi EcoCharge Concept at the New York Auto Show is a second prototype version of Suzuki’s sedan model called the Kizashi Apex Concept. While the EcoCharge hybrid is all about improving fuel economy, the Apex version concentrates purely on the performance aspect of the build while also showcasing the link between Suzuki's automotive division and its championship-winning motorcycles.

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Insane, Tire-Shredding Suzuki Might Boy Mini Ute with LS1-V8 [Video]

Come on, admit it, tire-smoking burnouts are a blast to watch. Even more so when the vehicle in question is a Japanese kei car stuffed with a GM-sourced LS1 V8. Enter the world of the Curupt, a wildly modified Suzuki Might Boy that comes to us from the land of Down Under.

Largely unknown to most of the world, the Suzuki Mighty Boy is a toy-sized pickup truck-style model from the glorious 1980s that was sold in Japan as well as Australia and Cyprus between 1985 and 1988. Despite its promising name, the fact that it was based on the Giugiaro-designed Suzuki Curve kei car meant the Mighty Boy was anything but ‘mighty’ as power came from a puny 0.5-liter three-cylinder engine delivering around 28 ponies.

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Suzuki Tries to “X-ITE” 2011 Swift Buyers with New Line of Sport Accessories

In a move to target buyers looking for a more individual look for their car, Suzuki has developed a new range of factory accessories for its 2011 Swift supermini in Germany. The lineup is marketed under the “X-ITE” brand and includes a variety of styling parts for both the interior and exterior of the new generation Swift.

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Suzuki to Unveil Two New Concept Versions of Kizashi at the New York Auto Show

Suzuki’s stand at this month’s 2011 New York International Auto Show will feature two brand new concepts cars, both based on the Kizashi sedan. In the Japanese automaker’s own words, the first study will be a “stylish and socially-conscious sedan propelled by a newly-developed advanced powertrain”, while the second concept will be a “wildly-schemed and amped up homage to Suzuki’s iconic motorcycle heritage”. Read more »

Honda, Nissan and Toyota Donate $3.75 Million Each for Earthquake Relief in Japan

The massive earthquake followed by the even more devastating tsunami that struck the north-east coasts of Japan last week has brought together the country’s biggest automakers including Honda, Nissan and Toyota, which announced today that they will donate $3.75 million each for relief and recovery efforts in communities affected by the disaster.

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Suzuki Puts a Little 'Special' to its German Market SX4 Crossover

A new special edition model has been added to the range of the Suzuki SX4 in Germany. The SX4 Limited comes with a number of discreet styling changes such as the gunmetal paint for the front grille, 16-inch alloy wheels and roof rails along with the choice of four metallic finishes for the body including "Cosmic Black Pearl Metallic", "Silky Silver Metallic", "Sunlight Copper Pearl Metallic" and "Smoky Green Metallic".

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Suzuki's Purple Cow

There are some recent reports saying Suzuki and Mitsubishi should exit the US automotive market. Not much is really working for either company, but I was surprised to see an ad the other day for the Suzuki SX4 Crossover that caught my attention.

The ad features the old advertising strategy of comparing yourself to a superior product that in turn raises your lesser product's cognitive position. Most of the time this approach doesn't work, like how the Nissan Altima tried to compare itself against the BMW 318i back in the mid-1990s or when Chrysler raced a Lebaron against the BMW 528 in the 1980s. Comparisons usually fall into the who cares category of advertising and do little to make you think a Chysler Lebaron really can compete against a luxury car.

The fun thing with this Suzuki versus the MINI Cooper ad is that yeah it's a little econo-box comparing itself to a much more superior product, the MINI Cooper, but what's interesting is that it's not the typical serious voice over race commercial showing some performance prowess. Instead, the Suzuki comes out with some comical red cape and yellow lightning bolt decal. It's an absurd comparison and Suzuki knows it but the ad makes you pay attention and that is something a Suzuki commercial rarely does, correction - never does.

So for what it's worth this new ad from Suzuki is a fun, interesting way for a forgotten brand with nothing to lose to get some much needed attention. Isn't that what TV spots are supposed to do - get your attention, peak your interest? The Suzuki spot is basically what Seth Godin refers to as a Purple Cow. It's unexpected.

Ford Offers Conquest Cash To Chrysler Defectors

Ford has been offering a $1,000 conquest incentive to Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge owners looking to buy a Ford, Lincoln or Mercury SUV, truck or crossover, but not car. These offers are found in several regional markets: New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., Denver and Phoenix.

So, are they effective?

From the Wall Street Journal: "Chrysler and GM owners "have been defecting to Ford and Lincoln-Mercury products in great numbers since the beginning of the year," Amanda DeMouthe, a marketing manager for Ford's Northeast operations, wrote in an April 9 email to dealers.

Independent numbers seem to back up Ms. DeMouthe's assertion. In March, 48% of Ford buyers turned in cars or trucks of other manufacturers, up from 38% in August, according to Edmunds.com, an auto-shopping Web site."

Ford has had the benefit of separating itself from it's U.S. rivals by not taking a government bailout. This has left to a lot of positive perception from the general public, especially consumers angry about private companies begging for government money when the nation is in a pretty deep recession.

But Ford isn't the only one trying a conquest rebate. Suzuki is offering $1,000 to a customer who trades in an SUV or minivan to buy the Suzuki XL7, and the customer is required to trade that vehicle into the dealer. Details here in Adobe PDF format.

Nothing is really new with conquest incentive programs. They seem to be working for Ford.