Suzuki is stopping its partnership on small cars with GM
- Suzuki announced that the small car named Celerio (segment A), which was unveiled at the New Delhi 2014 Motor Show will replace in Europe the models Alto (segment A) and Splash (segment A).
- Suzuki insisted that the Celerio will be manufactured in Thailand for all global markets, including Europe. By doing so, Suzuki copies the Mitsubishi concept that has for two years now been manufacturing in Thailand its model destined for all global markets. The Space Star a small sedan (released under the name Mirage in some markets).
- Suzuki thus puts an end to its cooperation with the GM group concerning small cars, since the Splash is currently produced in its Hungarian plant in Esztergom alongside the Opel Agila, its twin, a renamed model for GM. This follows an agreement dating back to the year 2000. At the time, the Opel Agila was a renamed version of the Suzuki Wagon R.
- The Suzuki Alto is produced in India and exported world wide. The sales of the Alto model in Europe increased by 22% in 2013, to 26 872 units, while those of the Splash fell by 10% to 15 573 units.
- Opel will probably therefore not have a direct progeny to the Agila model that was until now the entry level model of the brand. The Opel Adam will now endorse this role.
