SUZUKI FAN » Vw suzuki tie up

Volkswagen-Suzuki alliance may be in trouble

admin — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 05:34:16 +0000

Volkswagen-Suzuki alliance may be in trouble

Since Volkswagen buy 19.9 %Suzuki stake in december 2009 until now there’re no collaboration that have been done.News about co developement project was reported but nothing happend.News reported that Suzuki will develope a new small crossover for VW,Seat and Audi are in surface but the latest news seem like this project is axe by the twos partner.

Same with VW group will lend diesel engine to Suzuki but until now no agreement have been done.But Suzuki signed agreement last month with Fiat to produce and source Fiat engine and automatic transmission to Suzuki .Plan that Suzuki to produce OEM car to skoda India have been axe too.And hybrid/electric agreement is no concludesion and seem like Suzuki will develope own hybrid car without help from VW.

Now, Osamu Suzuki, the Chairman of Suzuki Motor Corporation, write in his blog and Here are some important points of his argument

-“Since the companies differ in size, people of Volkswagen may develop a mistaken impression that Suzuki is placed under their umbrella.”
-“The initial basic agreement seems to falter.”
-“We learnt about Volkswagen’s technologies, but we did not find any one of them interesting enough to adopt immediately.”
-“If we are short of any technology, we have an option to ask other companies with which we benefit from technological exchanges.”

Look like negative from the two. We have to wait and see.

Admin

Volkswagen CEO admits to differences with Suzuki on JV

admin — Sun, 13 Mar 2011 07:48:10 +0000

Volkswagen CEO admits to differences with Suzuki on JV

Volkswagen on Wednesday admitted that there were “differences” with Suzuki over plans to take their partnership forward, though adding that the two companies were trying to find out joint opportunities for cooperation in the Indian small car market.

Martin Winterkorn, CEO of Volkswagen, said at the company’s annual accounts conference here that Volkswagen and Suzuki had a different approach in taking decisions. “Working with a Japanese partner is not easy,” he said when asked why no concrete plans had been formulated after one year of partnership which saw Volkswagen buy 20% stake in the Japanese company.

Pointing to differences in approach, Winterkorn said European companies were fast in making decisions. “In the West sometimes, we make decisions more quickly. In the Japanese culture, sometimes things are a little different.”
Europe’s biggest carmaker, that sold 7.2 million units in 2010, said sales revenue was up 21% at 127 billion euros, while net profit was at 7.2 billion euros compared to 911 million euros in 2009.

While Volkswagen has been independently expanding operations in India through group companies VW, Skoda and Audi, it is also expected to go in for a major push with the help of new partner Suzuki that controls 50% of the Indian market through its local subsidiary Maruti. However, the market remains doubtful about the way forward as there has been no major announcement over the joint approach.

“We are making progress. We are in a phase with our colleagues from Suzuki where we are building mutual trust,” Winterkorn said. He said the two companies have identified a whole range of “attractive opportunities” for cooperation. “We have targeted the small car segment in India, in particular. We can also envisage cooperating in efficient powertrains and alternative drive technologies. Concrete projects are currently being discussed constructively with colleagues at Suzuki.”

VW, eyeing to become the number one auto company in the world by 2018 ahead of Toyota, has already said that it is banking heavily on markets like India and China towards this end. Winterkron had said in an earlier interview with TOI in October last year that he would strive for partnership with Suzuki in engines, transmissions and small cars. Maruti, he had said, would be used for developing new models for the Indian market.

“We are looking at developing common parts and joint platforms to produce small cars that we can sell in India.”

Asked whether the company would introduce its Spanish car brand ‘Seat’ in India, Winterkorn said that there were no plans at this moment. “India is not on the radar as far as Seat is concerned. However, we would be taking it to China where we expect the majority of volume growth to happen.”

Overall, the company said that it expects volumes in India to double this year. Volkswagen group (VW, Audi and Skoda) sold a total of 53,341 vehicles in 2010 as compared to 19,001 cars in 2009, at a growth of 181%. The Polo hatchback and the Vento sedan (both from VW brand) have been the volume drivers for these numbers.

Source:indiatimes

Suzuki considers Volkswagen engines for Kizashi

admin — Sat, 22 Jan 2011 05:55:29 +0000

Suzuki considers Volkswagen engines for Kizashi

The sun of UK reports that When Volkswagen announced it was teaming up with Suzuki for some joint projects, initial talk centered around small cars for emerging markets and possibly even a spate of two-wheeled ventures. Now, the rumormill is buzzing with speculation that the Japanese automaker might be interested in securing some of Volkswagen’s well-regarded powerplants for its midsize Kizashi sedan.

Currently, there’s no indication what powertrains Suzuki is interested in procuring from Volkswagen, but we’d have to guess that a Diesel and V6 petrol or possibly even a hybrid would be on the menu, if possible.

However, now that Volkswagen AG holds a stake in the Japanese car company,Steven Younan Suzuki Product manager ,says to wards auto that other options, including VW engines, are being considered. The relationship with VW has yet to yield many details on collaborations, he admits, but it takes time to see where synergies lie.

“Our whole product cadence got pushed back because of this relationship,” Younan says. “We had to slowdown our process to see what we could take advantage of and what they could take advantage of. It’s taking longer than we thought.”
Admin with source from the sun and wards auto

Volkswagen and Suzuki will unveil joint projects by Dec

admin — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 06:49:08 +0000

Volkswagen and Suzuki will unveil joint projects by Dec

Speaking at a conference to announce Maruti Suzuki’s second quarter results, Mr Shinzo Nakanishi, Managing Director and CEO, Maruti Suzuki India Ltd (MSIL) , said, “The Volkswagen-Suzuki announcement will happen by end of the calendar year, or maximum by January. There are many things being discussed between our parent company in Japan and Volkswagen, though I am not in a position to give any further details.”

In December last year, Volkswagen bought a 19.9 per cent stake for $2.5 billion in Japan’s Suzuki Motor Corporation, the parent company of Maruti Suzuki where it has a 54.2 per cent stake.

After this, reports have indicated Volkswagen’s interest on a partnership with a focus on India – the second largest growth market globally, where it is a relatively new entrant.

Both companies are expected to design a mutually beneficial global business model. Volkswagen is said to be interested in adopting Maruti’s low-cost small car manufacturing systems for emerging markets such as India, while Suzuki may look at the German carmaker’s expertise in diesel engines and large sedans.

Maruti Suzuki officials have earlier said that people from Volkswagen’s India office have also visited Maruti Suzuki’s Manesar facilities to see the production process first-hand. Volkswagen has also set up its own plant at Chakan with a 1.1 lakh unit annual capacity, a contrast to Maruti’s around 12 lakh unit annual production.

Volkswagen Group, which initially entered India through the Skoda brand, has followed up with the Volkswagen Cars and Audi.

It sells small cars such as the VW Polo and Skoda Fabia, a portfolio which it may look to expand through new products on Suzuki’s platforms.
Source: thehindubusinessline

Suzuki New crossover based on the stretched Kizashi platform is put the plans on the back burner

admin — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 04:58:24 +0000

Suzuki New crossover based on the stretched Kizashi platform is put the plans on the back burner

As Suzukifan report before (readmore) that Suzuki is working on new version of its XL7 crossover for the 2012 debute. as Production of the XL7 ceased earlier in 2009 due to low demand, but the new version could ride on a stretched version of the Kizashi’s architecture. expect the car to be far better quality than the old model.

As the latest information from Autonews that report that “A vehicle based on the Kizashi platform was rumored to be in the works, but the Volkswagen deal put the plans on the back burner”

While Volkswagen is now working on a slightly bigger Tiguan, Passat crossover dubbed VW416. Passat SUV.(readmore)

Now Suzuki and Volkswagen are in Discussion that how to generate a best of quality and cost of the two car.It’s possibility is begin from building the same car from the sketch with a “nose job” like Suzuki Alto/Nissan Pixo or share same platform amd some engine like Kia venka/Hyundai Ix20 or at least share some component.this will put the deleye on this crossover a for 1 or 2 year.

Our unofficial source disclose that the agreement between two will be made in about 6 month,may be at/or near 2011 geneva motor show,

Admin

Maruti Suzuki to launch R3 Concept Based Small MPV In January 2012

admin — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 06:26:48 +0000

Maruti Suzuki to launch R3 Concept Based Small MPV In January 2012

Maruti Suzuki India tried to gain a foothold in the Multi-Utility Vehicle (MUV) space which has so far been the preserve of Mahindra and Toyota Kirloskar in India.

According to ndtv to grab a bigger slice of the MUV segment, Maruti Suzuki is planning to roll out a multi utility vehicle at the start of 2012.

The car will be based on the R3 concept that Maruti is developing in India (read more).

Acoording to reported,the 3 row to seat MUV is likely to be launched in the Rs. 7-9 lakh price bracket targeted squarely at the Toyota Innova and Mahindra Xylo.(suzuki’s fan source told us that the car will start around at 5.5 lakh)

“There’s a lot more competition now as compared to 5 years earlier. They are getting into MUV’s, which is a clear sign of expanding the product lineup,” Rakesh Batra, auto partner at Ernst and Young said.

And here comes the bigger scoop. This model is also being considered by Volkswagen for its Indian portfolio and a Skoda badged variant is likely on the same platform which could be contract manufactured by Maruti. This could open up a new volumes stream for Maruti.

Sources have told NDTV that the product will enter prototype testing within 2-3 months following which the working models will also be shown to VW.

VW is keen on tapping Maruti’s mass volume and low cost expertise to access market price points it currently cannot. So expect the MUV to be just the first of many future models that are shared by the two in India and possibly for exports to emerging markets.

The same car also set to enter Indonesia around Q3 of 2012 and set to be Suzuki respone to highest selling Toyota Avanza and Daihutsu Xenia.

Admin source from ndtv

Suzuki and Volkswagen may make some solid global announcements in the next six to eight months

admin — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 07:04:54 +0000

Suzuki and Volkswagen may make some solid global announcements in the next six-to-eight months

Suzuki Motor will not share its car platforms in India with Volkswagen, which holds a 20% stake in the Japanese carmaker, a senior official said on Wednesday.

“There is no possibility of platform sharing (with Volkswagen) as the German company’s production and product development costs are very high and that could make our business unviable,” Shinzo Nakanishi, MD and CEO of Maruti Suzuki India, told ET.

In fact, the association between the two carmakers may be limited to sharing production facilities for contract manufacturing.

“There is a possibility of an original equipment manufacturing deal with Volkswagen, like the way we have with Nissan which sells hatchback A-Star as the Pixo in Europe,” said Mr Nakanishi.

The move may upset Europe’s largest carmaker’s ambitious plans for India, one of the fastest-growing auto markets in the world.

When Volkswagen picked up a 19.9% stake in Suzuki Motor Corp for $2.5 billion last year, the two companies said they would explore possibilities of vehicle development and joint production.

After all, one clear reason for the deal was Suzuki’s strong presence in India, a crucial market if Volkswagen were to reach its goal of becoming the world’s largest carmaker.

Volkswagen has been looking at controlling costs by harnessing Suzuki’s production practices and generating volumes in the small car segment as global market shift towards compact cars.

Now, it may have to do it the harder way.

Mr Nakanishi said the European firm can learn a lesson or two in frugal manufacturing from Maruti. “Volkswagen’s cost of products is high whereas Maruti’s product management costs are very low; so they can learn from us,” he said.

But Maruti Suzuki does not want to tap Volkwagen India’s facilities to overcome its current capacity crunch. “They are too expensive,” said Mr Nakanishi.

He, however, said Suzuki and Volkswagen may make some solid global announcements in the next six-to-eight months. Some project may come out by the end of this year or early next year. “It takes time as both companies are very big, so to find synergy is not easy. They are doing some discussions,” Mr Nakanishi said.

Top Volkswagen executives had visited Maruti’s factories in Gurgaon in May this year and met its top brass to explore synergies. The companies are exploring synergies in areas such as product design — not necessarily joint development and sharing of models — and product testing, evaluation or part-designing of future models and special projects.

While Suzuki is keen on getting Volkswagen’s technology, particularly smaller diesel engines, the German firm is interested in Maruti Suzuki’s expertise in high volume production at a very competitive cost and efficiency.

At the time of announcing the deal, analysts and auto experts had said that the German company will look to ride on Maruti’s formidable small car core competence in joint product development and purchasing synergies.

source: economictimes

Maruti Suzuki may produce car for Volkswagan

admin — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 06:48:53 +0000

Maruti Suzuki may produce car for Volkswagan

Maruti Suzuki India Ltd (MSIL) said on Wednesday that it may look to manufacture cars for Volkswagen’s global market on a contract basis, similar to its current agreement with Nissan.

The domestic passenger car market leader also said that European exports for the year are expected to be down 20-30 per cent and it is identifying other export markets to fill the gap. Last year, it exported 1.2 lakh units to Europe.

Speaking at the sidelines of the launch of the Alto K10 – a longer and more powerful version of the current Alto 800cc, Mr Shinzo Nakanishi, Managing Director and CEO, MSIL, said, “The talks with Volkswagen are going on at a global level and there is still no clear picture. There is a possibility of an OEM (original equipment manufacturing) supply contract with them, like we have with Nissan.”

Company officials have earlier said that Volkswagen has sent teams to MSIL’s facilities to review the cost-competitive manufacturing facilities of the company in the Gurgaon region. In December last year, German automaker Volkswagen had bought a 19.2 per cent stake in MSIL’s parent company Suzuki Motor Corporation, Japan, for $2.5 billion – fuelling rumours of platform sharing and partnerships across markets. While Suzuki is understood to be an expert in small cars, Volkswagen has more experience in larger cars and diesel engines.

Currently, MSIL has a three-year contract with Nissan to manufacture and export the Pixo (derived from the A-Star) to European markets. The contract for a minimum of 35,000 units a year is said to expire in 2011.

Asked about a capacity constraint faced by the company at its plants, Mr Nakanishi said that MSIL is trying to advance the expansion of the Manesar plant from 2012 and is also asking its vendors to invest in creating more capacity. “This year we hope to produce at least 20 per cent more than the installed capacity. We are already producing over 100 per cent,” he said.

“MSIL has an order backlog on seven to eight models, which adds up to around 15-20 per cent of its total sales,” an official said. Maruti has an installed capacity of 10 lakh units a year, but produces around 27,000 more through efficiency in manufacturing. The expansion at Manesar, part of the Rs 1,700-crore investment plan which includes the engine plant, will add capacity of 2.5 lakh units a year.

MSIL’s new launch in the lower end of the A2 segment, the Alto K10, is priced at Rs 3.03 lakh (Lxi) and Rs 3.16 lakh (Vxi). Building on the success of its largest selling Alto brand, the new car has a longer wheelbase, exterior and interior design changes, a new transmission and braking system. It is powered by the A-star’s 1-litre K Series engine, which delivers a fuel efficiency of 20.2 kmpl, the company said.

Company officials said that Maruti has spent around Rs 70 crore on the development of the new car, besides Rs 30 crore spent by its vendors. With many features packaged at a competitive price, it expects the new car to add incremental volumes of 25-30 per cent to the Alto brand. The company sold 2.4 lakh Altos in 2009-10.

Mr Nakanishi said the Alto K10 will be exported to Indonesia and other neighbouring countries only, as only a right-hand drive version has been developed.

source: thehindubusinessline

Volkswagen wants to work with Maruti on new models

admin — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 01:46:47 +0000

Volkswagen wants to work with Maruti on new models

German automaker Volkswagen has said that they are willing to work in collaboration with Maruti on new products for the global markets.

Volkswagen own 19.9 per cent stake in the Maruti’s parent company Suzuki.

“There will (be) some projects which will hit the Indian market. Let’s wait and see,” Volkswagen (VW) management board member Christian Klingler told PTI.

Asked if there is a possibility of VW jointly developing products with Maruti Suzuki India (MSI), he said: “Of course, there is a possibility of developing products together, (but) I cannot confirm it.”

VW said: “We are in the face of really exciting opportunities and we really want to come out when the projects have a certain degree of realization. So let us give it some time.”

The company further admitted that Suzuki is going to be an important partner for them in the Indian market which is growing at an impressive rate.

He said that the partnership between VW and Suzuki is all about leveraging on each other’s strengths. “Suzuki is very strong in the Asian market, including India and Japan. They have knowledge in the small car segment, which is pretty unique. They make small cars and make money. Lot of manufacturers make small cars, but they don’t make money,” Mr. Klingler said.

“Suzuki (also) has lot of interest on the technologies that we have,” the VW board member added.

He said there would be a lot of synergy between the firms in many areas, such as utilising MSI’s supplier base. “There are lot of discussions going on about synergies and one synergy could be at the suppliers’ level as well,” Mr. Klingler added.

Officials of MSI and VW India were understood to have met in May to explore synergies in production and vehicle design.

Mr. Klingler said that VW is also looking at increasing sourcing of components from India for its global operations.

“We cannot say anything definitive at this moment, though this possibility cannot be excluded. There can be a lot of things to be learnt, cooperated,” Klingler said.

He said “very good exchanges” were currently underway between top officials from both the companies to thrash out common strategies, not only for India but for other crucial markets. “India does play an important role in this partnership.”

Klingler said a “long list of projects were in the pipeline” and these could include a joint product strategy. “However, it is too early to speak anything concrete about common products.”

A new entrant in India, VW is yet to gain firm ground. It had started production from its Chakan plant this year, at an investment of Rs 3,500 crore. The plant has an annual capacity of 1,10,000 cars.

In contrast, MSI is the largest brand in the country, accounting for over 55 per cent of its 15 lakh unit car market. The Japanese company is also ramping up its R&D division by investing around Rs 1,500 crore in an upcoming centre at Rohtak, to be used for developing cars for India as well as the ASEAN region. This would be SMC’s largest R&D centre outside Japan.

Next generation Suzuki Swift will got 1200cc benzin direct injection and Swift sport featuring DSG 7 speed is now 6 month late

admin — Thu, 27 May 2010 00:20:17 +0000

Next generation Suzuki Swift will got 1200cc benzin direct injection and Swift sport featuring DSG 7 speed is now 6 month late

as autoten.com got unconfirm information from various source that Suzuki swift will got many range of outstanding engine, featuring newer technology and competitive to other best in class b-segment car.
start with 1200cc benzin engine will got direct injection engines,1400 cc benzin engine will got turbochage generate about 148 hp (these 2 will be very important to european market),1500cc benzin that will be a regular in next generation swift will be focus on India and China.

we also got unconfirm information on Swift sport that the car will featuring VW’s DSG 7 speed gearbox that first planed to hit market at sping 2011 in Japan is now 6 month late behide schedul.

but there’re confirm that suzuki is developing own diesel engine (read here http://suzukifan.com/2010/01/20/suzuki-diesels-engine-list-where-are-they-from-first-suzuki-own-diesel-is-in-develope)

Suzuki Next Generation Swift interior Spyshots, Infomation And Rendering

source: http://autoten.com/2010/05/24/next-generation-suzuki-swift-will-got-1200cc-benzin-direct-injection-and-swift-sport-featuring-dsg-7-speed-is-now-6-month-late/