Suzuki Focus on Hybrid, EV Development Includes Continued GM Collaboration

Suzuki Focus on Hybrid, EV Development Includes Continued GM Collaboration

Suzuki Motors, which makes fuel-efficient small cars but is desperately in need of a hybrid or other advanced technology car to help it break out of the niche-car mold, reportedly is focusing its R&D dollars  and efforts on alternatively fueled vehicles now.

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Kizashi concept shown by Suzuki at '07 Tokyo Auto Show was to be basis for a large hybrid from the small-car specialist.

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The company has restructured its research and development division with one unit working on electric vehicles, another on hybrids in collaboration with longtime partner General Motors Corp., and a third on Suzuki-developed hybrids and conventional gasoline engines.

This is all courtesy of Japans' Nikkei business news service, which has a fairly good track record although doesn't always get things right (see PSA Peureot Citroen-Mitsubishi).

Analysts at IHS Global Insight said that Suzuki has just $1.1 billion to spend on R&D (we're sounding like Congress - just $1.1 billion) in the '09-10 fiscal year and might not be able to keep up the three-pronged approach for very long.

We' certainly like to see a Suzuki EV.

John O'Dell:  is an AutoObserver Senior Editor. Follow @AutoObserver on Twitter.