Manufacture Suzuki

From 1985 through 1989, Cultus-derived models sold in North America — under the nameplates Suzuki Forsa, Suzuki Swift, Chevrolet Sprint, Geo Metro and Pontiac Firefly — were sourced from Suzuki's facilities in Japan. Beginning in 1990, all North American M-cars were produced at CAMI Automotive, a 50-50 joint venture between General Motors and Suzuki in Ingersoll, Ontario, Canada. Japanese production continued to source Canadian sedan models. CAMI never reached its intended Metro/Firefly/Swift capacity.[17] While at its peak, Canadian Swift/Metro/Firefly production reached more than 100,000 vehicles a year, the number fell to just 32,000 in 2000.[18] In response to the waning popularity of smaller automobiles in the North American markets, Chevrolet/Geo sold only 55,600 Metros in 1997, off from 88,700 the year before.[19] In a 2004 Autoweek article, Osamu Suzuki, chairman of Suzuki, called CAMI "a fishbone in my throat" because of its low production.[17]

Assembly also commenced in India (Maruti Suzuki), Hungary (Magyar Suzuki), Pakistan (Pak Suzuki), and China (Chang'an Suzuki). When production began at Magyar Suzuki of the Suzuki Swift in 1992, Suzuki invested $230 million in capital for the new company and flew each of its Hungarian workers to Japan for training in its production methods.[20] Notably, 5-door models of the Generation II (under the nameplate Cultus) are manufactured today in Pakistan and 4-door sedans of Generation II are manufactured today in China.

See photos of Subaru Justy (JMA/MS) "Cultus" at Wikipedia Deutsch

[edit] "Mk" Nomenclature

Mk nomenclature varies by region, emphasizing local marketing distinctions, restylings, and market adaptations

[edit] North America

NA Mk:
Mk1 - 85-88 (Boxy body) — Corresponds to Generation I
MK2 - 89-91 (Round body + Boxy dash) — Corresponds to Generation II
MK3 - 92-94 (Round body + Round dash)— Corresponds to Generation II (first restyle)
Mk4 - 95-97 (Guppy mouth) — Corresponds to Generation III
Mk5 - 98-01 (Razor mouth) — Corresponds to Generation III (first restyle)

[edit] Europe

Euro Mk:
MK1 - '86 to '88 — Corresponds to Generation I
MK2 - '88 to '92 — Corresponds to Generation II
MK3 - '92 to '96 — Corresponds to Generation II (first restyle)
MK4 - '96 to '01 — Corresponds to Generation II (second restyle)
MK5 - '01 to '02 — Corresponds to Generation II (third restyle)
MK6 - '04 onward — Corresponds to Generation IV

[edit] Australia

Australia Mk:
MK1 - SA310 / SA413 (1984-86).[21] — Corresponds to Generation I
MK2 - SF310 / SF413 / SF416 (1989-92)[21] — Corresponds to Generation II
MK3 - SF310 / SF413 / SF416 (1993-99)[21] — Corresponds to Generation II (first restyle)

MK1 Introduced March 1984, the SA Swift was front wheel drive, with a solid axle and drum brakes on the rear, with front disc brakes.

* Models: GA, GL, GC and GLS.

MK2 New rounder body shape with mechanicals similar to the SA model and the solid rear axle replaced by a trailing arm setup.

* Models: GA, GL, GTi 3-door hatchbacks; GL and GLX Sedans, with 4WD available between 1990-91.

MK3 Remodeled interior, revised front and rear bumper fascias. New rounded dashboard.

* Models: GA, (later replaced with the City Car), the Cino, GL and GLX Sedans, and the GTi

[edit] References

1. ^ "GM reduces Suzuki alliance by 17.4 percent to raise $2bn". Earthtimes.com, March 7, 2006, Renin Paul. http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/5634.html.
2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "Little Big Man, First Look: 1995 Geo Metro". Hardive.com, J.J. Gertler. http://www.hardrive.com/reviews/geometro.htm.
3. ^ a b c d "New Car Review 1995 GEO METRO LSi SEDAN". The Auto Channel, Bill Russ. http://www.theautochannel.com/vehicles/new/reviews/wk9509.html.
4. ^ "The 12 Greenest Vehicles in 1999". Ecomall.com. http://www.ecomall.com/greenshopping/aceecar.htm.
5. ^ "Guide: It Isn’t Easy Being Green". The LA Times, John O'Dell, February 18, 1999. http://articles.latimes.com/1999/feb/18/business/fi-9068.
6. ^ "Guide to green cars, trucks released". CNN.com, March 19, 1998. http://www.cnn.com/EARTH/9803/19/green.car/.
7. ^ a b c d "Historia del Chevrolet Sprint (Spanish)". Carrosyclasicos.com. http://www.carrosyclasicos.com/nuke/contenido.php?sid=425.
8. ^ a b "Geo Metro Madness Hits High". USNEWS, May 22, 2008. http://usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/cars-trucks/daily-news/080522-Geo-Metro-Madness-Hits-High/.
9. ^ "1997 Solectria EV". Nextautos.com, Seyth Miersma, 05/01/2008. http://www.nextautos.com/news/2008/05/01/ebay-auction-day-1997-solectria-ev-geo-metro-style.
10. ^ "Who's laughing now? Subcompact owners". London Free Press, Norman De Bono, May 16, 2008. http://www.lfpress.ca/perl-bin/publish.cgi?x=articles&p=233820&s=wheels/.
11. ^ "Gas prices drive Geos from clunkers to chic". Cnn.com, Mallory Simon, May 20, 2008. http://www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/wayoflife/05/20/geo.metro/index.html.
12. ^ "The Geo Metro Rides Again, Sort Of". Business Week, Jim Henry, June 2, 2008. http://www.businessweek.com/lifestyle/content/may2008/bw20080530_752282_page_2.htm/.
13. ^ "All Hail (or Mourn) the Geo Metro". The New York Times, The Lede, June 10, 2008, Mike Nizza. http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/06/10/all-hail-or-mourn-the-geo-metro/index.html?partner=rssnyt&emc=rss.
14. ^ "Gas costs have drivers thinking smaller, older". Mercury News, Linda Goldston, 05/20/2008. http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_9319368?source=most_emailed.
15. ^ Car and Driver July 2009, pg. 44-53
16. ^ "Economy Champs Get the Cold Shoulder". The New York Times, Matthew L. Wald, November 12, 1995. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=990DE0D61439F931A25752C1A963958260.
17. ^ a b "Pontiac planning to add Chevrolet Equinox-based sport wagon to lineup". Autoweek.com, March 5, 2004. http://www.jacksonville.com/autos/autonews/stories/030504/04846649.shtml.
18. ^ "CANADA: CAMI ends Suzuki Swift production". Just-auto.com, 5 June 2001. http://www.just-auto.com/article.aspx?id=79901&lk=s.
19. ^ "CAMI gets a new lease on life". Wards Auto World, December 1, 1998. http://wardsautoworld.com/ar/auto_cami_gets_new/.
20. ^ "Company History: Suzuki Motor Corporation". Answer.com. http://www.answers.com/topic/suzuki-motor-corporation?cat=biz-fin/.
21. ^ a b c "Suzuki Swift History In Australia". RedlineGTi.com. http://www.redlinegti.com/articles/art2/.