Suzuki shelves plans to build the Kizashi sedan

Suzuki Motor, one of the automakers that will not be present at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show, has reportedly delayed the launch of its new mid-sized sedan that was supposed to be a production version of the “Kizashi 3” Concept. We’ve been hearing that the sedan would arrive in 2009 as a 2010 model year car but according to Japanese newspaper Nikkei, Suzuki has shelved plans to move ahead with production for now.

According to Automotive News, the decision comes as a sharp deterioration in the global auto market. There is no word on when Suzuki will move ahead with plans to build the Kizashi 3 based mid-size sedan, but in an interview with Reuters in September, Suzuki’s CEO Osamu Suzuki said the project is likely to be canceled due to the sluggish sales in the segment.

Suzuki was planning an entry level 2.5L 4-cylinder version of the car along with a 260-hp 3.5L DOHC 24-valve V6. The latter was said to come from GM’s V6 units found under the Cadillac CTS and Chevy Malibu. Pricing for the car was rumored to start at $21,000.

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