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Back in 2006, Suzuki reached its goal of selling 100,000 units in the United States aided by a trio of Daewoo-built vehicles. While Suzuki maintained that level in 2007, sales started to decline in 2008 as Suzuki failed to fill gaps in its lineup.

As Suzuki began to focus more on the SX4, a replacement for the Daewoo-built Reno and Forenza, Suzuki had forgotten about the mid-sized sedan segment… until now. In comes the 2010 Suzuki Kizashi sedan, a model that will go on sale in the U.S. later this winter with prices starting around $20,000. A hybrid variant, most-likely co-developed with GM, is also planned for 2011.

What else does Suzuki have planned for its U.S. product offering?

The Suzuki Swift, which has been very popular in Japan and Europe, will come to the U.S. in 2011 and will be powered by 123-hp 1.6L engine, reports Automotive News. As For the Grand Vitara SUV, a redesign is due for 2013. Suzuki will also add a 166-hp, 2.4L 4-cylinder base engine and a rear-drive version for the 2010 model year.

The mid-sized XL7 crossover ended production when GM closed its CAMI joint venture with Suzuki. The automakers is now studying plans to replace the XL7 in the 2011 or 2012 model year with a crossover based on a stretched version of the Kizashi platform.

Seems like Suzuki is here to stay.

- By: Kap Shah

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