The 2009 Suzuki Equator pickup truck has been found roaming around Southern California, baring the first glimpse of the truck based off of the Nissan Frontier pickup platform. Suzuki have not released any pictures since the Chicago Auto Show back in February so the fact that this project is live and kicking is surprising.
Automakers are improving the crashworthiness of their vehicles and quickly installing side airbags and electronic stability control, an important crash avoidance feature, on more models. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety recently completed front, side, and rear crash test evaluations of 8 small SUV models. For the first time, every model the Institute tested comes equipped with electronic stability control as standard equipment. Check out the graded chart inside.
Ford Motor Company will begin exporting additional automotive products and transmission parts to China, thanks to agreements signed in Washington, D.C., today. The total value of the pact is estimated to be more than $800 million. In one of the company’s largest export agreements, Ford will sell more than 30,000 North American-built vehicles in China, starting in 2009. Ford also will begin supplying transmission components and parts this year to its passenger car joint venture in China – Changan Ford Mazda Automobile Co., Ltd.
As an update to our previous Suzuki Equator blog, Suzuki has now posted videos on YouTube of their new Equator concept in action. Check them out inside.
To bolster its versatile and dynamic product line, enhance the company's bold and adventurous brand identity and further expand the growing line of products marketed by approximately 500 Suzuki dealers nationwide, American Suzuki Motor Corp. debuts its all-new 2009 Equator midsize pickup truck at this year's Chicago Auto Show. The introduction of the Equator marks Suzuki's first entry into the midsize pickup truck market and expands the company's offering of activity-oriented cars and trucks.
Nissan North America, Inc. (NNA) announced that the midsize pickup truck it will produce for Suzuki Motor Corp. will be based on the Frontier midsize pickup and built at Nissan's manufacturing facility in Smyrna, Tenn. Production of the pickup truck will begin in 2008.
Suzuki has released a set of preview shots for their new X-Head concept car which features a strong tonka truck attitude. Debuting at the Tokyo Auto Show later this month, the mini tonka is over 12 feet long and is powered by a 1372-CC engine. The interior features aggressive bucket seats with X-harnesses, innovative overhead console, split 2-pane sunroof and more.
Inside Line took the new 2007 Suzuki XL-7 for a spin. "It may have a Japanese design and a Japanese name, but the 2007 Suzuki XL-7 is about as Japanese as a Yoshinoya beef bowl. You see, although this fully redesigned version of Suzuki's midsize SUV is powered by a 3.6-liter V6 built in Japan, the engine was actually designed by General Motors. Suzuki builds it under license and adds its own computers, but it's essentially the same engine found under the hood of the Pontiac G6."
According to Inside Line, "On sale in September, the five-passenger sport-utility adds headroom and more front and rear legroom, upgraded interior materials, and SmartPass keyless entry/start system. The Grand Vitara's list of standard safety equipment grows to include side curtain airbags, antilock brakes with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution and electronic stability control with traction control."
Edmunds' Inside Line reports "2005 is turning out to be a busy year for Suzuki on the SUV front. After two concepts at the Detroit and New York auto shows, now comes the first production spin-off, this fully redesigned and pretty cool-looking Escudo that's just launched in Japan."
Inside Line took the new 2007 Suzuki XL-7 for a spin. "It may have a Japanese design and a Japanese name, but the 2007 Suzuki XL-7 is about as Japanese as a Yoshinoya beef bowl. You see, although this fully redesigned version of Suzuki's midsize SUV is powered by a 3.6-liter V6 built in Japan, the engine was actually designed by General Motors. Suzuki builds it under license and adds its own computers, but it's essentially the same engine found under the hood of the Pontiac G6."
According to Inside Line, "On sale in September, the five-passenger sport-utility adds headroom and more front and rear legroom, upgraded interior materials, and SmartPass keyless entry/start system. The Grand Vitara's list of standard safety equipment grows to include side curtain airbags, antilock brakes with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution and electronic stability control with traction control."
Edmunds' Inside Line reports "2005 is turning out to be a busy year for Suzuki on the SUV front. After two concepts at the Detroit and New York auto shows, now comes the first production spin-off, this fully redesigned and pretty cool-looking Escudo that's just launched in Japan."
