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2005 Suzuki Forenza Wagon Preview

A Practical SUV Alternative

With the addition of the compact Forenza and midsize Verona sedans, American Suzuki Motor Corporations (ASMC) sales are way up over last year - or any year before for that matter. New vehicle deliveries are up 22 percent during the first quarter of 2004.

The new cars come from the Japanese automakers $100-million investment in General Motors Daewoo Auto & Technology (GMDAT), the cooperative company that came out of General Motors buyout of Daewoos Korean manufacturing assets. The buyout also included the budget brands line of cars, the Lanos subcompact, Nubira compact and

Currently Suzuki is experiencing a big increase in sales, up 22 percent from the same quarter last year. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

Leganza midsize.

While the Lanos, Nubira and Leganza continue to be sold outside of North America under the Daewoo nameplate, GM and Suzuki have modified each cars grille, added brand specific badges and renamed them for specific markets. For instance, the Leganza is dubbed Verona throughout North America and

The Suzuki Forenza Wagon was recently introduced in Manhattan during the New York International Auto Show. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

sold through Suzuki dealers, while GM Canada sells a version of the car named the Epica through its Chevrolet franchises. The same goes for the Lanos, called the Aveo at Chevrolet stores and the Sprint+ in Canadian Suzuki dealers. Suzuki Canada doesnt even get the Forenza or Reno, but then again U.S. Chevy dealers dont get the Optra and new Optra5.

Canadians will get their own version of the Nubira wagon under the Chevrolet Optra

The new Forenza Wagon has been styled by Pininfarina, the same design house that pens most Ferraris. (Photo: American Suzuki Motor Corporation)

moniker this fall, while those on the warmer side of the 49th parallel can purchase the Suzuki Forenza Wagon as recently introduced in Manhattan during the New York International Auto Show.

The car looks good, due to its Pininfarina (yes the same design house that pens most Ferraris) styling, and offers similar performance, interior space and standard features than competitive compact wagons for less money. How much? Expect prices to start around $13,000 and end up at $16,000, or so the automaker says.

"The Forenza Wagon will have a unique combination

The Forenza Wagon will offer the most cargo capacity in its class when the rear seats are folded forward. (Photo: American Suzuki Motor Corporation)

of feature content and MSRP which gives it a distinct value advantage over competitors like the Ford Focus Wagon, Subaru Impreza Wagon, Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback and VW Jetta Wagon," stated Koichi Suzuki, president of ASMC Automotive Operations.

For instance the new wagon will be longer and wider than the already largish 2004 Focus Wagon. It will also feature an 8-speaker audio system with steering wheel-mounted controls, 4-wheel disc brakes, passenger-side weight-sensing advanced airbags, side airbags for both driver and passenger-side, speed-sensitive power steering and heated power mirrors as standard features, and a sunroof (top-level models only). The Forenza Wagon will also offer the most cargo

The Forenza has been a hot seller for Suzuki from the start, and with the added functionality of the wagon its sales are sure to continue upward. (Photo: American Suzuki Motor Corporation)

capacity in its class when the rear seats folded forward, while rear legroom and front and rear shoulder room is said to be "in the premium compact wagon category."

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