Production of Suzuki Kizashi, Grand Vitara comes to an end - Japan

No direct replacements for both models. 

The Japanese production of Suzuki's flagship SUV and sedan has finally come to an end, a company spokesperson told Just Auto. The Suzuki Escudo (Grand Vitara for other markets) has ceased manufacturing at the firm's Iwata plant.

Meanwhile, Suzuki's Sagara plant has stopped making the Kizashi sedan, just five years after it started production of the Honda Accord rival.

Both, the Grand Vitara and the Kizashi, according to this report, have received indirect replacements. The Suzuki Vitara SUV showcased the Paris Motor Show is smaller than the Grand Vitara, and is based on a monocoque platform unlike the Grand Vitara's ladder-on-frame chassis. The Vitara's size and construction have been dictated by growing market preference towards smaller crossovers/SUVs.

The Kizashi, which in Japanese means a 'Sign of good things to come', was described as an 'unlucky car' for the company by its Australian managing director. The same official suggested that a successor to the car would bring too little of a return, but would cost a lot in investment and development.

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Instead, Suzuki focussed on the Ciaz/Alivio which is positioned two segments down compared to the Kizashi. Rivaling the likes of the Honda City and Hyundai Verna, the Ciaz seems to have had a good start at least in India where it outsold the City - its biggest competitor - in its launch month.

[Source - Just-Auto]