The End of Suzuki ????

[Marc.com]

Have been reading quite a lot at the moment in the press about VW, yep thats right Volkswagen taking over the motorcycle division of Suzuki. Sounds far fetched, Suzuki automotive is bleeding cash, VW already has big JV going to produce hybrid cars, The CEO of VW is a big bike fan and almost bought Ducati in 85, he is cash rich and looking for M&A opportunities.

Volkswagen Motern Werks, Suzuki may be VMW by this time next year. OR more likely the touring bikes and big road stuff will be and the Suzuki name will remain where there is strong brand loyaty.

[VMX247]

Shit............I knew Doc would be worth a fortune one day.
oh well better get collecting fast before the market starts to rise on them 
cheers

[Mick D]

Shit allright!!!!!!.....That’s a worry......... Shattering news, but then again, I just bought a PE400 engine with a standard cylinder, & new standard piston & rings. A lot of my best and memorable mounts Have been Suzuki.

[Marc.com]

Like I said some bikes like the RMZ would make sense to keep Suzuki, expect a revamped Hayabusa or similar as the first VMW.

[Hotelmoto]

"Volkzuki"  has a nice ring to it

[Marc.com]

"Volkzuki"  has a nice ring to it

Sushivagen would definitely be a great name for a big touring bike. The 'artists impression' of future bike showed basically a 1200 whatever its called with panniers and a full fairing, all very dull, but probably appeals to people who buy tourers. I am thinking flat six turbo diesel from Porsche to take on the Goldthing but that may be wishful thinking.

[DR]

I kinda like VMW as it has a vintage ring to it might have to start re-badging soon eh

[firko]

Volkswagen owning Suzuki is hard to fathom but the one that breaks my heart is my beloved Jaguar being owned by the Indian company Tata . There'll be much more of this kind of brand name ping pong down the line as big business gets deeper into the shit and they're forced sell  or write off brands to raise or save capital. At GM Oldsmobile and Buick are gone altogether and Pontiac and Vauxhall aren't looking too good. Who owns Husaberg today? I read somewhere it's moving on again. One good thing is that Maico is now British owned and it's rumoured that they're on the verge of coming back as a major player.

[Marc.com]

so far they own 1/5th,

http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/volkswagen-done-it-bought-15-of-suzuki-motorcycles.htm

As for Jag they are seem to be bleeding cash out of Tata like hell, time to shift production to Calcutta me thinks.

Other fun stuff is Harley have managed to screw themselves albeit the finance division this time rather than the bikes. Harley produced the V Rod and got more women on bikes....how could they alienate their traditional market any further.

http://www.usatoday.com/money/companies/earnings/2009-01-23-harley_N.htm

[Mick D]

Who owns Husaberg today?

I believe KTM. I believe all of the Husaberg engineering staff are to be embraced by KTM as well, which should  bring about a great melding of minds. 

[Tim754]

 Now Harley has shit canned the Buell range ??

[Tim754]

Now back to Suzuki,, Were not Suzi and Kawasaki bed mates there not so long ago?

 Tank badges for VW / Suzuki / Kawasaki      "Kumandsucmesuzi"

[Mick D]

SUZAKI, Now WUZUVI'S,  bloody hell whats next? Maybee it won't be long before we see a Montesa Phamtom after all MONDA is probably working on it right now, understandable why they would want to keep it under tight wraps They wouldn't want JATUAR getting wind of it, or next thing you know some Enfield builder with a towel for a beanie will take two wheels of a JATUAR and realise he has just invented the ROYAL JATUARA. That's all the movement needs now, to see somebody(traitor) turn up to the Races with a GREATWALL full of ROYAL JATUARS. I'm not sure i will be able to cope with this strange new world. I think I might glad wrap the ariel on the Comodore tomorrow, just so the grand kids will have something to appreciate down the track. 

[Marc.com]

Now Harley has shit canned the Buell range ??

Yeah Harley has some serious financial problems with thier finance division, the irony. Ford had similar problems a few years ago.Plus Harley has 30% over capacity, they will get out of it but just be smaller, or sold off.

[TT]

When I was working in Alice Springs, Lotus brought over their new little sports car to test.
Trouble was that all the techs were Korean because Lotus was owned by Kia at that stage. And that car had an engine that was an exact copy of a Ford Laser/Mazda 323, to the point where a Laser rocker cover fitted straight on.