| In the past few months, 50 Suzuki dealers have | | | | invested $250,000 in improvements but only sold four |
| accepted buyout offers. This is part of the plan to | | | | or five new Suzukis a month. The Suzuki store will be |
| cut the worst performing stores of this brand | | | | used as a certified used cars dealership. |
| launched in March. Suzuki has now 300 dealerships, | | | | The problems with Suzuki probably are related to |
| compared to 354 in March. Buyout offers were made | | | | lack of marketing and tough competition in U.S. A |
| to 150 dealers and the program ended in July. Dealers | | | | new ad campaign was launched last month. The new |
| that have accepted the offer were only selling two | | | | Kizashi sedan and the seven year powertrain are |
| cars per month. Through this measure it is hoped | | | | featured in the ads which will run through August. |
| that both the profitability for dealers and for the | | | | The new Kizashi sedan is intended to change the |
| company will be better. | | | | public image of Suzuki. Although it is rather small in |
| This is hoped to offer a better chance to retail | | | | size, it has a sporty, muscular look. Its power comes |
| outlets better profits due to increased sales per | | | | from a 2.4L four-cylinder developing 185 horsepower |
| store. Sales in U.S. dropped over the last four years | | | | together with the six-speed manual transmission. |
| from 100,000 in 2006 to less than 40,000 in 2009 and | | | | Slightly higher fuel economy is offered with the new |
| continue to drop in 2010. | | | | Kizashi. The sports tuned suspension and the |
| In southwestern Ohio, the brand has only three | | | | super-stiff chassis make Kizashi the most athletic car |
| stores for Cincinnati and Dayton. The Suzuki store in | | | | in its class. The suspension setup was uniquely |
| Dayton, Ohio acquired the franchise in 2007, and | | | | tailored to the Kizashi. |