Suzuki joins fuel fight

This time it's Suzuki that has been drawn into the battle.

Toyota and BMW have been fighting for months over the relative benefits of diesel and hybrid cars, with everyone from Fiat to Volkswagen also trumpeting the strengths of diesel, but no-one at Suzuki expected to be caught in the crossfire. But it has happened.

Toyota forced Suzuki to change the advertising for its new baby Alto to protect the position of its all-new Prius, which I have test driven for today's Carsguide.

Industry insiders say the change is only minor, but Suzuki was forced to change its touting of 'Australia's most fuel-efficient petrol car' to 'Australia's most fuel-efficient non-hybrid petrol car' after a complaint by Toyota Australia.

Yet, ironically, Suzuki is happy to have its $12,490 Alto compared with the $39,900 Prius.

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