Automotive News - September 29, 2008 - (Page 28) 28 • SEPTEMBER 29, 2008 Suzuki to aim pickup at motorcycle owners Execs: Brand’s big enthusiast base likely to fuel sales Kathy Jackson kjackson@crain.com SAN ANTONIO — Ironically, Suzuki will bring its first pickup to market as consumers are moving to the kind of vehicles Suzuki is best known for: small, fuel-efficient cars. The mid-sized Equator, which goes on sale in late November, arrives as the pickup market is retreating. It will compete directly with a sister vehicle, the Nissan Frontier, which has seen its U.S. sales fall 13.1 percent through August from the same period a year ago. But that doesn’t faze Suzuki executives. They say they have a file of 2 million Suzuki motorcycle and allterrain vehicle owners — consumers who are likely to have a pickup in the garage. And Suzuki has kept costs down. The Equator, based on the Frontier, is produced at Nissan’s plant in Smyrna, Tenn. So for the brand and its dealers, the Equator is another way to increase sales and consumer awareness. “We have an enormous base of Suzuki enthusiasts,” Gene Brown, marketing and product planning vice president at American Suzuki Motor Co., said during a press event here. “Now they can own a Suzuki pickup.” The basics: The Equator comes in extended and crew cab versions and in rear-wheel-drive and four-wheel- The Suzuki Equator has a unique front fascia, grille and bumpers that differentiate it from its Nissan sibling. Spot the difference Suzuki’s first pickup goes on sale in November. It looks different from its sibling, the Nissan Frontier, but the specifications are almost identical. 2009 SUZUKI EQUATOR 2009 NISSAN FRONTIER Rubberlike seat material gives the Equator an outdoorsy look and feel. And the front passenger seat can be folded flat and used as a tray. drive configurations. It uses the Nissan inline-four and V-6 engines. The inline-four produces 152 hp and 171 Southern Auto Auction, East Windsor, Conn.; Tri-State Auto Auction, Cicero, N.Y. Oct. 2 — Manheim Cincinnati, Hamilton, Ohio; Manheim Fredericksburg, Fredericksburg, Va. Oct. 3 — ADESA Sarasota, Tampa, Fla. Oct. 7 — ADESA Indianapolis, Plainfield, Ind.; ADESA Kansas City, Lee’s Summit, Mo.; Manheim New England, North Dighton, Mass.; Manheim Arena Illinois, Bolingbrook, Ill.; Manheim Detroit, Carleton, Mich.; Manheim Orlando, Ocoee, Fla.; Manheim Philadelphia, Hatfield, Pa.; Manheim Riverside, Riverside, Calif.; Manheim St. Louis, Bridgeton, Mo.; ADESA Seattle, Auburn, Wash.; ADESA Golden Gate, Tracy, Calif. Wheelbase Length Width Height Curb weight Base engine Horsepower Torque, lbs.-ft. EPA mpg Base price *Company estimate **Includes $780 shipping cost 125.9 in. 206.6 in. 72.8 in. 68.7 in. 3,686 lbs. 2.5-liter I4 152 @ 5,200 rpm 171 @ 4,400 rpm 19 city/23 hwy. $18,500* 125.9 in. 205.5 in. 72.8 in. 68.7 in. 3,664 lbs. 2.5-liter I4 152 @ 5,200 rpm 171 @ 4,400 rpm 19 city/23 hwy. $18,240** pounds-feet of torque, and the V-6 is rated at 261 hp and 281 pounds-feet of torque. Oct. 7 — Kansas City Auto Auction, Kansas City, Mo.; ADESA Phoenix, Chandler, Ariz.; Manheim Seattle, Kent, Wash.; Manheim New York, Newburgh, N.Y. All versions, except the base inlinefour, have five-speed automatic transmissions. The base version has a five-speed manual. Fuel economy ranges from 19 mpg city/23 mpg highway for the base version to about 14 mpg city/19 mpg highway for the 4wd V-6-powered crew cab version. The truck can tow up to 6,500 pounds. The Equator differs mainly from the Frontier on the exterior. It has a unique front fascia, grille and bumpers. A rubberlike seat material gives the vehicle an outdoorsy look and feel. Suzuki also will offer a top-of-theline RMZ-4 crew cab 4X4 version, equipped for more rugged off-roading. Suzuki sells motocross bikes with the same name. Notable features: The Suzuki-designed bed extender is the right size for hauling motorcycles. Inside, the back seats fold up or down, and removable storage boxes are beneath the rear seats. The fold-flat front passenger seat can be used as a tray. Hill descent and hill hold control features help during off-roading. What Suzuki says: “It’s not a vehicle that we will be forcing on the market,” Brown says. As for sales targets, he says “it could be some sales to several thousand.” Shortcomings and compromises: Suzuki has not put aside much money to launch the Equator. It will rely mainly on direct marketing and grass-roots events. The skinny: The Nissan Frontier is basically the same vehicle. And Nissan, along with most other truckmakers, has more marketing and incentive dollars to spend. Suzuki and its dealers will have a tough time finding their niche. c Calif.; Rea Bros. Mid-South Auction, Jackson, Miss. Jaguar Sept. 30 — Manheim Dallas Fort Worth, Fort Worth, Texas Oct. 1 — Manheim Nashville, Mount Juliet, Tenn. Oct. 2 — Manheim Pennsylvania, Manheim, Pa.; Manheim Nevada, Las Vegas Oct. 7 — Manheim St. Louis, Bridgeton, Mo. Saab Financial Services Corp. Sept. 30 — ADESA Indianapolis, Plainfield, Ind.; Manheim Dallas Fort Worth, Fort Worth, Texas Oct. 2 — Manheim Pennsylvania, Manheim, Pa. Oct. 7 — ADESA Boston, Framingham, Mass. Acura Oct. 2 — Manheim Nevada, Las Vegas; Manheim Pennsylvania, Manheim, Pa. General Motors Sept. 29 — Manheim Orlando, Ocoee, Fla. Sept. 30 — ADESA Phoenix, Chandler, Ariz.; Manheim Dallas, Dallas; Manheim Milwaukee, Caledonia, Wis.; Manheim Omaha, Omaha, Neb.; Manheim Pennsylvania, Manheim, Pa. Oct. 1 — ADESA Indianapolis, Plainfield, Ind.; ADESA Kansas City, Lee’s Summit, Mo.; Brasher’s Idaho Auto Auction, Boise, Idaho; Manheim Atlanta, Red Oak, Ga.; Manheim Baltimore-Washington, Elkridge, Md.; Manheim Darlington, Darlington, S.C.; Manheim Mississippi, Hattiesburg, Miss.; Manheim New Mexico, Albuquerque, N.M.; Manheim Southern California, Fontana, Calif. Oct. 2 — ADESA Boston, Framingham, Mass.; ADESA Tri-State Auto Auction, Fargo, N.D.; ADESA Seattle, Auburn, Wash.; Manheim Detroit, Carleton, Mich.; Manheim Nevada, Las Vegas; Manheim Pittsburgh, Cranberry Township, Pa.; Manheim St Louis, Bridgeton, Mo. Oct. 6 — Manheim Houston, Houston Oct. 7 — ADESA Birmingham, Moody, Ala.; Columbus Fair Auto Auction, Obetz, Ohio; Manheim Oklahoma City, Oklahoma City; Manheim Minnesota, Shakopee, Minn.; Manheim Utah, West Bountiful, Utah; Southern Auto Auction, East Windsor, Conn. American Honda Finance Corp. Sept. 30 — ABC Minneapolis, Dayton, Minn.; ADESA Golden Gate, Tracy, Calif.; Manheim Orlando, Ocoee, Fla. Oct. 1 — ADESA Tri-State Auto Auction, Cicero, N.Y.; Southern Auto Auction, East Windsor, Conn. Oct. 2 — ADESA Charlotte, Charlotte, N.C.; Complete Auto Service, Marysville, Ohio Oct. 3 — Manheim Pennsylvania, Manheim, Pa. Oct. 7 — ADESA Kansas City, Lee’s Summit, Mo.; Manheim Detroit, Carleton, Mich. Kia Motors America Inc. Oct. 1 — Greensboro Auto Auction, Greensboro, N.C.; Columbus Fair Auto Auction, Obetz, Ohio Subaru of America Inc. Oct. 7 — Manheim Orlando, Ocoee, Fla. Land Rover North America Sept. 30 — Manheim Dallas Fort Worth, Fort Worth, Texas Oct. 1 — Manheim Nashville, Mount Juliet, Tenn. Oct. 2 — Manheim Pennsylvania, Manheim, Pa.; Manheim Nevada, Las Vegas Oct. 7 — Manheim St. Louis, Bridgeton, Mo. Toyota Financial Services Sept. 30 — Manheim Georgia, Atlanta; Manheim Orlando, Ocoee, Fla.; Manheim Statesville, Statesville, N.C. Oct. 1 — Manheim Kansas City, Kansas City, Mo.; Manheim Milwaukee, Caledonia, Wis.; Manheim Seattle, Kent, Wash. Oct. 2 — ADESA Dallas, Mesquite, Texas; ADESA New Jersey, Manville, N.J.; Manheim Arizona, Tolleson, Ariz. Oct. 3 — ADESA Boston, Framingham, Mass.; ADESA Los Angeles, Mira Loma, Calif.; Manheim Pennsylvania, Manheim, Pa. Oct. 7 — Manheim Georgia, Atlanta; Manheim Orlando, Ocoee, Fla.; Manheim Statesville, Statesville, N.C. Chrysler LLC Sept. 30 — ADESA Atlanta, Fairburn, Ga.; Manheim Minneapolis, Maple Grove, Minn.; Manheim Pittsburgh, Cranberry Township, Pa.; Manheim San Antonio, San Antonio Oct. 1 — Manheim Hawaii, Honolulu; Manheim Riverside, Riverside, Calif.; Manheim St. Louis, Bridgeton, Mo. Oct. 2 — Manheim Arena Illinois, Bolingbrook, Ill.; Manheim Denver, Aurora, Colo.; Manheim Fredericksburg, Fredericksburg, Va. Oct. 6 — Manheim New England, North Dighton, Mass.; ADESA Indianapolis, Plainfield, Ind.; Manheim Orlando, Ocoee, Fla. Oct. 7 — Manheim Dallas, Dallas; Manheim Phoenix, Tolleson, Ariz. Audi Financial Services Sept. 30 — Manheim Arena Illinois, Bolingbrook, Ill.; Manheim Dallas Fort Worth, Fort Worth, Texas; Manheim Toronto, Milton, Ontario Oct. 1 — ADESA Washington, D.C., Dulles, Va.; Manheim Hawaii, Honolulu Oct. 2 — Brasher’s Cascade Auto Auction, Wood Village, Ore.; Manheim Pennsylvania, Manheim, Pa. Oct. 7 — ADESA Boston, Framingham, Mass.; Metro Phoenix Auto Auction, Phoenix Lexus Financial Services Oct. 1 — Manheim Seattle, Kent, Wash. Oct. 2 — Manheim Arizona, Tolleson, Ariz.; Manheim Pennsylvania, Manheim, Pa. Oct. 7 — Manheim Orlando, Ocoee, Fla. Mercedes-Benz Financial Sept. 30 — Manheim Dallas Fort Worth, Fort Worth, Texas Oct. 1 — ADESA Washington, D.C., Dulles, Va.; Manheim Nashville, Mount Juliet, Tenn.; Manheim Seattle, Kent, Wash.; Manheim San Diego, Oceanside, Calif. Oct. 2 — Manheim Pennsylvania, Manheim, Pa.; Manheim Nevada, Las Vegas Oct. 7 — ADESA Boston, Framingham, Mass.; Manheim Orlando, Ocoee, Fla. Oct. 8 — Manheim New Jersey, Bordentown, N.J.; Manheim Milwaukee, Caledonia, Wis.; ADESA Houston, Houston Volkswagen Credit Sept. 30 — Manheim Arena Illinois, Bolingbrook, Ill.; Manheim Dallas Fort Worth, Fort Worth, Texas; Manheim Toronto, Milton, Ontario Oct. 1 — ADESA Washington, D.C., Dulles, Va.; Manheim Hawaii, Honolulu Oct. 2 — Brasher’s Cascade Auto Auction, Wood Village, Ore.; Manheim Pennsylvania, Manheim, Pa. Oct. 7 — ADESA Boston, Framingham, Mass.; Metro Phoenix Auto Auction, Phoenix BMW Financial Services Oct. 1 — ADESA Washington, D.C., Dulles, Va.; Manheim South Seattle, Kent, Wash.; Manheim Pennsylvania, Manheim, Pa. Oct. 2 — Manheim Pennsylvania, Manheim, Pa.; Manheim Nevada, Las V
Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Automotive News - September 29, 2008 GM, Ford and Chrysler place new-product bets Credit freeze could mean cash crisis Mr. Big Volume reaches the end of the line Korea's revolving door Mazda quits Ford Credit for Chase Mitsubishi, UAW reach tentative agreement Volt could break feds' 100 mpg ceiling Chase cuts back on auto leasing Target for Traverse: No. 1 in large crossovers BMW's new 7 series: Timing may be all wrong Tucson revisited Can Ford light fire under Fiesta? Lithia puts brakes on used-car stores Revived Mercury will focus on 3 segments VW taps 'zealots' to promote diesels Farley, Leuliette will kick off World Congress The new Soul (and nose) of Kia Hyundai: Drivetrain key to more mpg Taxpayers at risk if firms get fed loans - then fail GM plans high-tech small engines for Volt and Cruze Buick looks upscale Denso says U.S. woes will cut its profits Denso: No plans to make hybrid parts in U.S. Bailouts are a bad idea Chic small cars? Check them out at the Paris show Credit's no problem, but a weak brand is Helping dealers helped GM Ford field rep didn't help at all Who knew? Electric cars are fun to drive Where is the power going to come from? Hyundai shifts its U.S. ad agency Hyundai, Kia mold separate identities Behind on hybrids, Hyundai sets high goals Dealers Flashes of genius, years of turmoil No cop-out; car designed for police use PICTURE THIS: A trip to the bank RV sales drop 31.9% in June Mexico sales off 4.8% in Aug., 1.2% for 8 mos. Suzuki to aim pickup at motorcycle owners Experts: Learn Korean hierarchies Readers' comments on Bill Heard's collapse Bill Ford sells some Ford stock CarMax net income falls ArvinMeritor raises forecast Toyota plans CNG concept Chrysler cuts 250-300 salaried workers Minority supplier drops stamping business Will Cerberus buy up Chrysler to wave bye-bye? Rioters kill supplier exec in India No pickup seen for pickups Piech's ploy was masterstroke in war with Porsche Honda's highway groove music: It sounded better on vinyl St. Louis dealer to paper that outsourced typesetters: 'Deal me out' Automotive News - September 29, 2008 Automotive News - September 29, 2008 - (Page Intro) Automotive News - September 29, 2008 - (Page Bellyband1) Automotive News - September 29, 2008 - (Page Bellyband2) Automotive News - September 29, 2008 - Mr. Big Volume reaches the end of the line (Page 1) Automotive News - September 29, 2008 - Mr. Big Volume reaches the end of the line (Page 2) Automotive News - September 29, 2008 - Volt could break feds' 100 mpg ceiling (Page 3) Automotive News - September 29, 2008 - Tucson revisited (Page 4) Automotive News - September 29, 2008 - Tucson revisited (Page 5) Automotive News - September 29, 2008 - The new Soul (and nose) of Kia (Page 6) Automotive News - September 29, 2008 - The new Soul (and nose) of Kia (Page 7) Automotive News - September 29, 2008 - Buick looks upscale (Page 8) Automotive News - September 29, 2008 - Buick looks upscale (Page G1) Automotive News - September 29, 2008 - Buick looks upscale (Page G2) Automotive News - September 29, 2008 - Buick looks upscale (Page G3) Automotive News - September 29, 2008 - Buick looks upscale (Page G4) Automotive News - September 29, 2008 - Buick looks upscale (Page G5) Automotive News - September 29, 2008 - Buick looks upscale (Page G6) Automotive News - September 29, 2008 - Buick looks upscale (Page G7) Automotive News - September 29, 2008 - Buick looks upscale (Page G8) Automotive News - September 29, 2008 - Buick looks upscale (Page G9) Automotive News - September 29, 2008 - Buick looks upscale (Page G10) Automotive News - September 29, 2008 - Buick looks upscale (Page G11) Automotive News - September 29, 2008 - Buick looks upscale (Page G12) Automotive News - September 29, 2008 - Flashes of genius, years of turmoil (Page 9) Automotive News - September 29, 2008 - Denso says U.S. woes will cut its profits (Page 10) Automotive News - September 29, 2008 - Denso says U.S. woes will cut its profits (Page 11) Automotive News - September 29, 2008 - Ford field rep didn't help at all (Page 12) Automotive News - September 29, 2008 - Ford field rep didn't help at all (Page 13) Automotive News - September 29, 2008 - Where is the power going to come from? (Page 14) Automotive News - September 29, 2008 - Where is the power going to come from? (Page 15) Automotive News - September 29, 2008 - Hyundai, Kia mold separate identities (Page 16) Automotive News - September 29, 2008 - Hyundai, Kia mold separate identities (Page 17) Automotive News - September 29, 2008 - Behind on hybrids, Hyundai sets high goals (Page 18) Automotive News - September 29, 2008 - Behind on hybrids, Hyundai sets high goals (Page 19) Automotive News - September 29, 2008 - Dealers (Page 20) Automotive News - September 29, 2008 - Dealers (Page 21) Automotive News - September 29, 2008 - RV sales drop 31.9% in June (Page 22) Automotive News - September 29, 2008 - RV sales drop 31.9% in June (Page 23) Automotive News - September 29, 2008 - RV sales drop 31.9% in June (Page 24) Automotive News - September 29, 2008 - RV sales drop 31.9% in June (Page 25) Automotive News - September 29, 2008 - RV sales drop 31.9% in June (Page 26) Automotive News - September 29, 2008 - Mexico sales off 4.8% in Aug., 1.2% for 8 mos. (Page 27) Automotive News - September 29, 2008 - Suzuki to aim pickup at motorcycle owners (Page 28) Automotive News - September 29, 2008 - Experts: Learn Korean hierarchies (Page 29) Automotive News - September 29, 2008 - Readers' comments on Bill Heard's collapse (Page 30) Automotive News - September 29, 2008 - Chrysler cuts 250-300 salaried workers (Page 31) Automotive News - September 29, 2008 - Minority supplier drops stamping business (Page 32) Automotive News - September 29, 2008 - Minority supplier drops stamping business (Page 33) Automotive News - September 29, 2008 - St. Louis dealer to paper that outsourced typesetters: 'Deal me out' (Page 34) Automotive News - September 29, 2008 - St. Louis dealer to paper that outsourced typesetters: 'Deal me out' (Page 35) Automotive News - September 29, 2008 - St. Louis dealer to paper that outsourced typesetters: 'Deal me out' (Page 36)
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