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Suzuki Alto News

2014 Suzuki Alto previewed
By Karla Pincott · 02 Dec 2013
The next Suzuki Alto five-door hatch promises to be bigger and roomier, with the design being previewed in the A:Wind concept unveiled in Thailand.Measuring up with the same 1600mm width as the current Alto, but 100mm longer at 3600mm, 70mm taller at 1540mm and riding on a 65mm longer wheelbase at 2425mm, it claims to offer more rear leg room, wider-opening doors and 'class-leading' luggage capacity -- although the cargo figure isn't given.The concept has the usual show garnish, including jazzy 16-inch alloy wheels and a sharply-styled nose with headlights integrated into the spindle-like grille. Under the bonnet is the same 996cc (round it up to 1.0-litre) three-cylinder petrol engine, and while Suzuki hasn't revealed outputs, it could at the most be a small rise on the current Alto's engine, which develops 50kW of power at 6000rpm and 90Nm of torque at 3400rpm.There could also be a change of transmissions, with the front-wheel drive Alto's five-speed manual -- claiming 4.7L/100km -- likely to continue but the 5.3L/100km four-speed auto to be replaced by the continuously-variable transmission previewed in the concept. The car will go into production early in 2014 and is likely to arrive here late that year.However, while our Alto is currently built in India, Suzuki has so far only outlined plans for the new one to be built in Thailand. But with Suzuki referring to the A:Wind as a "global compact car" it seems a certainty to also roll out of the brand's other main production facilities. With the Chinese-built Chery J1 having to exit the Australian market -- culled by the November 1 manadatory requirement for all new cars to have electronic stability control -- the Alto has regained its crown as Australia's cheapest car, with an entry price of $11,790.That price tag is unlikely to move much higher, as despite the affordable level, the Alto is trailing the main rivals in a crowded field of nearly 30 light cars on the Australian market, with sales of 2490 year-to-date 26 per cent down on 2012 -- and considerably behind the leading Mazda2 on 13,136, Toyota Yaris on 12,269 and Hyundai i20 on 11,659.This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott 
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Price cuts push 1000 per cent sales boom
By Daniel Bishop · 26 Sep 2013
As the Australian car sales race heads into the final quarter lap for 2013, most eyes are on what will be the top car. But further back in the field, there’s been a big improvement for several European models, which are posting sales lifts of up to 1000 per cent as a result of aggressive price cuts.Leading the charge is Fiat’s 500 which was slashed more than $10,000 in June, and now starts at just $14,000. This resulted in 310 buyers last month, compared to just 86 before the price drop. The little Italian car has increased in sales at the rate of 850 per cent every month since June, in a market that shrank by almost 15 per cent.Fiat as a whole is benefiting too, with the 1765 sales so far this year being more than a 500 per cent increase over the 328 at this stage in 2012. While the Fiat 500 is attracting customers, established competitors like the Holden Barina, Nissan Micra, Suzuki Alto and Swift and Toyota Yaris have meanwhile seen a decline in sales year-to-date.This means that for the first time, the 500 is outselling more than half its competitors. Meanwhile, Alfa Romeo’s small models, which also received price cuts recently, have returned positive results – albeit on fairly low numbers. MiTo has doubled in sales in the premium light car segment from 23 to 45, while its larger sibling, Giulietta – in a field that includes the Toyota Corolla, Holden Cruze and Mazda 3, found 324 new homes compared to just 88 before the new pricing strategy.The local HQ says the surge in sales is due to sharper pricing and specifications and more dealership support. “The success is a result of a combination of factors: an expanded and engaged dealer network, streamlined vehicle spec levels and sharper pricing – as well as strong and smart marketing support,” Fiat and Alfa Romeo spokesperson Karla Leach says.With the international launch of the new Alfa Romeo 4C sport car this week – estimated to cost somewhere around $75,000 when it arrives here -- the Italian brand is buckling up for the challenge of luring customers with a few more dollars to spend. Leach says Fiat and Alfa Romeo have serious intentions to keep strengthening their position here. “We have strong ambition for the continued growth of these brands in Australia,” she says. But it’s not just Italians aggressively tackling the entry level market.Renault last month introduced the cheapest Clio ever, firmly cementing the French brand into the budget light car segment with an entry-level price of under $17,000. Keen to be seen as a viable alternative, Renault has hit hard at competitors, offering five-year, unlimited kilometre warranty and fixed price servicing. Renault Australia managing director Justin Hocevar said at the Clio unveiling last month that the brand has high expectations of the car.“We have a fantastic value proposition in terms of a beautifully designed vehicle with high levels of personalisation, at an extremely competitive price.” he said. Traditional options like Mazda, Hyundai and Toyota still dominate the light and small car segments, but European rivals are fighting hard to gain credibility as mainstream brands.The big winners are the buyers, who may now afford to consider Italian design, French flair or German precision for the same price as more established mainstream manufacturers. The exception to the success story is Opel, which failed to accrue enough buyers in its very short stint in Australia. Despite competitive prices, the German brand disappeared in August, posting less than 1,000 sales this year between the Astra and Corsa small cars combined. 
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Suzuki Alto recall tally rises to 13,000
By Karla Pincott · 25 Jul 2013
Suzuki has recalled 13,216 Alto models from 2009 onwards for a heating system fault. The recall notice says the Alto’s heater blower motor may jam, causing the resistor fuse to overheat and cut out, preventing the heater from working.Suzuki Australia initially announced 10,187 Altos sold from 2009 until now will be recalled. However, Suzuki Queensland operates as a separate entity, and has only joined the recall overnight, adding 3029 cars to the tally.However not all the cars sold during that period – totalling 14,660 -- are affected, with 1444 being exempt from the recall. “It is only particular VIN (vehicle identification numbers) during that period, and we are in the process of identifying which ones,” Suzuki spokesman Andrew Ellis says. "The faulty resistors were in particular batches, while other batches were fine."The defect is not considered to be a safety risk, and Suzuki says there have been no reports of related incidents, injuries or fires. “It’s a minor recall – the fault simply means you won’t have heating in the car.  There have been no reports of fires anywhere in the world,” Ellis says. "However, it's a safety recall because it can affect the demister, and visibility is a safety issue."Suzuki says the fix will take 30 minutes, and involve the replacement of the existing resistor. “The parts are in transit now and the campaign is about to start in earnest,” Ellis says.
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Car running costs
By Mark Hinchliffe · 08 Jul 2011
….over the past year thanks to decreasing finance costs and fixed price servicing. The Suzuki Alto, Barina Spark and Hyundai Getz shared the honours as the cheapest cars on our roads, according to annual surveys of a range of popular cars released this week by automobile clubs in all states except NSW. Toyota's LandCruiser is the most expensive vehicle to keep on our roads with the RAC of Western Australia estimating the 4.5-litre V8 costs as much as $406.84 a week. LandCruiser has retained the dubious honour as the most expensive vehicle to run in Queensland for the past six years. The auto club surveys tally costs such as fuel, tyres, registration, service, repairs, depreciation and loan interest. Costs vary between states with South Australia reporting a drop in costs and Western Australia the only state reporting a substantial rise of $50 in running costs. RAC spokesman David Moir attributed the rise to fuel costs which are now second only to vehicle depreciation in total running costs in Western Australia. Although most of the costs vary between states, the surveys found the cheapest small car is Hyundai's petrol i30. Toyota Camry, Suzuki Kizashi and Holden Epica share the honours as the most frugal medium cars, while Holden Commodore dual-fuel (petrol and LPG) model is the cheapest large car to own in Victoria and Queensland, Toyota Aurion is the best bet in South Australia and Ford Falcon XT LPG takes the honours in Western Australia. The RAC survey also shatters the myth that frugal hybrids and diesels are cheaper to run. In Queensland, the Camry hybrid costs $11.68 more a week in ownership costs than the petrol model. RACQ spokesman Steve Spalding says diesels are also less attractive this year. "Last year diesel and petrol fuel prices were much closer together, so diesel owners were picking up the benefits of fuel consumption," he says. "But this year the higher premium on diesel fuel means we aren't seeing the same overall savings." He says it also depends on the model as car companies charge between $2000 and $10,000 more for a diesel variant. The best way to save on running costs is to bargain for a cheaper price and pay with cash, Spalding advises. "Depreciation and finance are the biggest costs in running a car, not fuel and maintenance," he says. "Depreciation is 35 to 45 per cent of running costs and even though finance costs have dropped in the past year, it still represents about 20 per cent of total ownership costs. "So the more you shop around and the better you bargain, the more those costs drop."
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Power drives for economy
By Craig Duff · 01 Jul 2011
a vehicle now has to look good, go well and have a label on the windscreen showing it runs on the smell of an oily rag.
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Saving money downsizing, LPG, hybrids and diesels
By Mark Hinchliffe · 19 May 2011
The spiralling petrol prices mean fuelling a family car like a Commodore or Falcon now accounts for 2.6 per cent of average weekly earnings. But you don't have to sit back and take it in the hip pocket. These families have all taken different approaches to reducing their fuel bills.DOWNSIZINGTheir 2000 Falcon was costing the Andrew family of Brisbane a small fortune to keep running, so they decided to downsize.However, instead of buying one vehicle, they went for two Suzukis, the cutesy Swift and the three-cylinder ultra-frugal Alto.Warren, 47, says the Falcon had a 65-litre tank while the combined tanks of the Swift and Alto are 77 litres. "We now get twice as many kilometres from the same expenditure on fuel," he says. Though it has to be noted that the additional cost of registering and maintaining a second car would probably offset any real cost advantage.His wife, Karen, 43, says having two small cars is more versatile for transporting their children Jess, 12, and Emily, 10, to and from primary and secondary schools. We don't miss the Falcon in the least; maybe we will when we go on holidays," she says."It's been great. Having the two cars means we can take a child separately - one to primary and one at high school. The Swift is really cool. The Alto is a good little runabout but I enjoy driving the Swift. We drive whoever's car is at the back. Warren tends to take the Swift. I think he deliberately leaves it at the back."We fill them with petrol every couple of weeks and we can squeeze into smaller parking places. "Jess and Emily love the cars more than the Falcon. They say it's my car'."LPG Retirees John and Lesley Braggs planned to become grey nomads so they bought a 2003 BMW X5 V8 petrol a few years ago. "You wouldn't get much change out of $120 when you filled it up," he says.About eight months ago they converted it to a dual-fuel petrol/LPG system. "We were travelling around a lot going down to Melbourne and back and have plans to travel to Adelaide and Alice Springs," he says."We only put about 20 bucks a month of petrol into it because it starts up on petrol and then a few seconds later the gas kicks in. "The petrol also kicks in if you run low onLPG but we never run low and need to use it. I only ever have about a quarter of a tank of petrol, otherwise it's excess weight we don't need."He says he hasn't noticed any change in performance. "It seems to have the same amount of power as when it's running on petrol I reckon," he says. They had a 70-litre LPG tank installed where the spare tyre was located under the cargo floor so they didn't lose any luggage space. "I carry around a pressure pack in case we have a puncture," he says.The LPG installation cost about $4500 with the government rebate. "I'm really wrapped with it. There is nothing different with the performance and it's cheap," he says."LPG is currently about 70c a litre. When we first got it, it was about 40c a litre, but it's still cheap."HYBRID The Knights have discovered another benefit of their fuel-efficient Toyota Prius with the recent birth of their son, Thomas."Now that we have the baby we don't have the radio on and we can tell how quiet it is," Tanya says. "It's a bit disconcerting sometimes when it kicks into electric." Tanya and husband Stephen bought the Prius two years ago."We were in the market for a new car and wanted to be as fuel efficient and environmentally conscious as possible," she says. "We came from a Falcon with LPG so I didn't want to go to a petrol car and pay X number of hundred dollars to fill it."We found the LPG wasn't particularly fuel efficient. It guzzled the fuel, but it was half the price. "Now I fill up maybe once every three to four weeks on a 60km daily round trip to school and home. "With highway driving, I can get over 1000km on one 40-litre tank of fuel which is amazing. We're really happy with it and wouldn't go to a petrol-only car ever."Mrs Knight says the Prius is a bit quirky in design and function. "But once you get used to it, it's interesting," she says. "People are astonished. They say the car has turned off."She also defends the Prius as a family car. "It's actually a reasonable size car. We get the baby capsule in and there is plenty of space for other people, she says. "My dad used to run taxis and many in the industry are going to hybrid cars."DIESEL The Webbs were a bit skeptical about diesels when they went to test the Hyundai i30cw CRDi wagon. But Adam and Katie Webb of Brisbane were pleasantly surprised. "My only experience of a diesel was my mate's old diesel HiLux which chugs and smokes," says Adam. "I had done some research and knew a bit about the new turbo diesels but my wife was especially concerned about the noise and smoke of them."However, when I took it for a test drive I was surprised. For a 1.6 (litre engine) when you put your foot down it really takes off. "It's really quiet. Especially on the highway you hardly notice you are driving a diesel. "There's still a bit of noise when you start it up. You know it's a diesel, but it's a lot smoother and quieter than we thought."The Webbs traded in their 1996 Magna wagon three months ago. "We pretty much downgraded in size, but there is still plenty of space," he says. "Me, my wife and the two kids all fit in quite well and when you have a couple of kids their stuff takes up a lot of boot space."The burning question is fuel economy. "We bought it just for the fuel efficiency," he says. "I'm not too sure on the actual economy figures but we drove about 600km to Rainbow Beach and back last weekend and there's still about a quarter of a tank left."He rejected concerns about limited and dirty diesel bowsers. "My wife drives it more than I do and she hasn't had any problems finding a boswer," he says. "Hyundai supply 10 disposable gloves with the car to use when filling up, but we've never used them."
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Ed Ordynski's fuel-efficient driving tips
By Stuart Martin · 15 Feb 2011
Then we head north in a Holden Cruze and Mitsubishi ASX, looking to see how far this pair can go on a single take of fuel.  Ed Ordynski is in the ASX and I have the Cruze, holding  the trip computer just over 6 litres/100km as Ordynski - expert driver - is below 5 litres/100km.The first stop is just outside Port Pirie after 250 kilometres and the figures are 5.3 and 4.2, as we battle wind and rain.  A lunch stop in Waikerie - about 530km into the journey - and then a turn south to follow the Murray both cars maintain sub-6 readings - the ASX in the region of 4.5 and the Cruze 5.5 litres per 100km as we pass the 700km mark near Murray Bridge.The weather worsens as we follow the river south through 730km at Wellington."The ASX was more adversely affected by that, it was 0.3 litres/100km worse off - we did what you need to do into a headwind and that was reduce the speed a little," Ordynski says.Running down through the southern foothills to complete our 1000km journey we return the tanks to full. There are still 15 litres in the Mitsubishi's 60-litre tank, but my Cruze is almost on fumes.  But after thirteen hours of "real-world" driving we have hit our 1000-kilometre target."I would drive like that with people on board and not be embarrassed," Ordynski says.  "You win on fuel use and emissions as well, with 2kg of CO2 for every litre of fuel, you win on maintenance and longevity of the vehicle by driving it kindly as well, it's hard to see a downside."Ed Ordynski’s Fuel TipsLevel 1. Overall factors1. Plan when you need to use your car to avoid unnecessary journeys.2. Plan your journey to avoid peak hour and congested roads.3. Measure your fuel consumption and take pride in reducing it.4. Choose an energy efficient vehicle.Level 2. Anyone can try1. Concentrate on driving smoothly and anticipate traffic flow to conserve momentum.2. Keep tyre pressures at maximum recommended.3. Avoid any excess weight in the vehicle and remove accessories which affect the aerodynamics (e.g. roof racks).4. Choose a manual transmission and learn to drive it properly for optimum fuel efficiency.Level 3. Hard-core methods1. Avoid use of airconditioning and keep windows closed.2. Do not use cruise control but do focus on keeping a constant speed and conserving momentum.3. Drive at low speed - most cars are at their most efficient at around 75km/h in top gear.4. Drive off as soon as the engine is started, especially from a cold start.GREEN STARSMake-model weight price combined fuel con1. Mitsubishi -MiEV 980kg $leased 02. Toyota Prius 1370kg $39,990 3.93. Smart Fortwo 750kg $19,9904.44. Honda Insight 1205kg $29,9904.65. Suzuki Alto 880kg $11,790 4.8GREEN DUDS1. Ferrari 599 1690kg $677,250 21.32. Ferrari 612 1849kg $698,000 20.73. Nissan Patrol 4.8 2440kg $75,690 17.24. Maserati GT S Coupe 1880kg $345,900 16.65. Mercedes ML 500 2148kg $132,400 16.5
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Ono inspired Suzuki changes
By Paul Gover · 26 Aug 2010
He is - or was - Hirotaka Ono - a visionary who re-invented the Japanese brand and changed everything, from boosting the quality of its cars to creating the can-do attitude among senior managers that's essential for the success of any car company. Ono had a giant advantage because he was married to the daughter of company founder, Osama Suzuki.He was able to use his family connection to ramrod a range of changes which would have been impossible for anyone else, especially a 40-something revolutionary in a country which usually puts age and experience ahead of youth and enthusiasm. Even so, he still had to walk the walk on everything from design and driving enjoyment to bottom-line financial deals.The award winning Suzuki Swift is an Ono car, so too is the current Grand Vitara, as well as the Kizashi. His track record also includes the less-successful second-generation XL7, thankfully only sold in the USA, but everyone makes an occasional mistake. Ono died too early at the end of 2007, but not before he inspired the cars coming through Suzuki today and forecast the global financial crisis - as well as planning the way his company would react to the challenge."Thanks to Mr Ono we have learned what we can do. He inspired us," says Tak Hayasaki, managing director of Suzuki Australia. Hayasaki has his own challenges in trying to lift Suzuki's share of Australia's annual car sales from its current 2.4 per cent to around six per cent, but he knows he has the strongest lineup in the company's history.The Alto is too small for a lot of people, but a $12,990 driveway bottom line makes plenty of sense with six airbags, ABS and ESP, as well as alloy wheels. The Swift is getting very old but is still a good car, the Grand Vitara is a safe choice and the SX4 does a good enough job.Kizashi is the game-changer for Suzuki, the same as the first Mazda6 and Accord Euro were for Mazda and Honda, combining Euro-type driving enjoyment with Japanese quality.This week the company is adding an all-wheel drive car to the Kizashi line, the Sports, and believes it can boost its sales by 100 cars a month. That's 50 per cent of the current volume. It's a big call for a car which already goes head-to-head with Mazda6 and Euro and now faces up to the might of the Subaru Liberty, the car that convinced Australians about all-wheel drive.As he looks forward, with a new Swift before the end of the year - not   that you would pick it as all-new from pictures - Hayasaki knows where the credit goes. "I have to thankyou to Mr Ono for what he has given us. He proved that we can do it."
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Clunker rebate 'too small to work'
By Neil McDonald · 29 Jul 2010
Suzuki boss, Tony Devers, wants it ramped up to make it more attractive to motorists."If you look at some of the countries in Europe, they had incentives of up to 5000 Euros ($7200)," he says. "The amount should really be higher. I don't think $2000 is enough to get people into these cars. It's very limiting."Devers, who has been campaigning for a similar scheme for the past 12 months, says the $2000 would disadvantage the very people it is designed to help. Many people driving around in pre-1995 vehicles may not be in a position to afford a new car, he says.Under the Gillard scheme owners of vehicles older than 25 years will be offered a $2000 rebate to switch to new, more fuel efficient vehicles. But Devers says there is little detail from the Labor Party on what constitutes a 'low-emission, fuel-efficient vehicle'."We need to see a list of eligible vehicles," he says. "At present it is lacking in detail."Gillard's rebate scheme has received lukewarm support from the car industry. Although the peak body representing the Australian automotive industry, the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries, has thrown its weight behind it, chief executive, Andrew McKellar, admits it is light on detail. He says it needs to be evaluated 'on a stand-alone basis'."Obviously we would need to look at the detail," McKellar says.McKellar accepts that critics will call for more effective incentives and tax breaks, rather than a $2000 rebate, to get people into greener cars."If the object is to look at what the range of policy initiatives in relation to emissions can be, then there are obviously a wide range of options and opportunities," he says. He rejects the idea that it is purely an election stunt. "We are in an election campaign, so it would be expected that there will be policies and commitments and things that will come out of left field," he says. "And this is one of those."Suzuki's Devers has been vocal in his push for a scrappage scheme. Last year he was instrumental in pushing a 'first-buyers' car scheme similar to the first homeowners' grant. It is one option he would like to see on the Labor agenda. "I still think that is viable," he says.Devers believes the Government also needs to clearly outline its green car policy, rather than reward local manufacturers for building green cars. "Where is their green car policy?" he says. "If their fair dinkum give incentives across the board."Compared to other countries and even some emerging Asian Tigers, Australia has one of the oldest carparks in the Western world. According to ABS statistics, the average age of cars in Australia is 9.9 years, with 20 per cent of registered vehicles built before 1994.However, this is still higher than other countries such as the United States (9.4 years), Europe (8 years) and Japan (6.2 years). Currently there are two million pre-1995 vehicles on Australian roads.  McKellar says many do not meet today's environmental and safety standards."A key part of any strategy to reduce carbon emissions from road transport must address the impact older cars have on the environment," he says.The FCAI also supports a bid to develop a regulated carbon dioxide emission standard for new light vehicles."The industry is confident we will reach agreement with any incoming government on the detailed structure of a new standard, including ways to recognise the uptake of emerging low emission technologies and alternative fuels," McKellar says.
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Suzuki Alto lowers fuel economy
By Karla Pincott · 13 Jul 2010
Shod with new low rolling-resistance tyres, the Alto’s fuel consumption has dropped to 4.7 litres per 100km with the manual transmission, a reduction of 0.1 litre. The tyres have also reduced the bowser burn for the automatic version, which has dropped 3.9 per cent to 5.3L/100km. Suzuki says the figures are particularly impressive, given the price, because from $12,490 the Alto is nearly a third of the price of any hybrid on the Australian market. And the new fuel figures – coupled with stronger supply -- should help the Alto have a bumper sales month in July, says Suzuki Australia spokesman Andrew Ellis. “We were a bit hamstrung the month before distribution-wise” Ellis says.  “But we’re expecting our best month yet for July.
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