#suzuki

It’s official, the proposed alliance between Suzuki Motor Co. and Volkswagen AG is now dead in the water. On Sunday; VW said that the Japanese company’s decision to source diesel engines from Fiat, was an infringement on the terms of the deal between it and VW.

With the Volkswagen/ Suzuki tie-up all but officially over, the latest move by Volkswagen is sure to end it. After its first full review of the “partnership” Volkswagen has announced it is, “serving notice of an infringement by Suzuki of the cooperation agreement.”

Young love can turn into a bitter divorce faster than you can say “ Rocktan.” That at least appears to be the case with the relatively recent partnership between Germany’s world-domination seeking Volkswagen and the minicar experts from Japan, Suzuki.

In 2010, Volkswagen took a twenty-percent stake in Suzuki, and virtually no progress has been made from the alliance since then. Neither side has been thrilled with the coalition and the two automakers have even stated cultural differences as being a factor in the failed relationship.

In Japan, the most popular car is neither big, nor powerful, but it fills the needs of most of its motorists. Since 2003, the most popular car sold in Japan is the Suzuki Wagon R.

Suzuki’s rocky relationship with Volkswagen has not ended, the Japanese automaker stated today. Even though Suzuki has made public remarks against VW’s role in the two automakers’ joint-venture, there are no plans for the Japanese automaker to pull out.

Suzuki has been very successful with sales up 17 percent year-to-date for 2011, and hopes to maintain the momentum into 2012. Suzuki has updated the Grand Vitara with the “Ultimate Adventure Edition” which arrives for 2012. The new edition will feature 18-inch alloy wheels, water-resistant seat fabric, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and integrated fog lamps.

In 2009, Volkswagen, in its ever growing quest to become the largest automaker in the world, bought 20% of Suzuki for $2.5-billion. The partnership would have given VW insight into Suzuki’s small-car technology, a segment the Japanese auto-maker is very successful at in Japan. Suzuki on the other hand would have gained valuable knowledge on hybrid technology. It looked like a win-win for both sides, but things have been far from ideal between these two companies.

Mercedes-Benz dealerships have been awarded the top spot for the third consecutive year in an independent study issued on yesterday using secret shoppers to determine how customers are treated. Both Jaguar and Lexus tied for second place with Toyota and Chrysler being the best among mass-market brands in the Pied Piper study.

“Monster” Tajima’s record-setting Pikes Peak car was heavily sponsored by GoPro Cameras, which is why it’s no surprise that they’re letting us experience the glory of the sub-10-minute run for ourselves.

Tajima’s Suzuki SX4 Hill Climb Special was outfitted with multiple cameras, capturing every angle of the epic run. GoPro’s dedicated team of boffins is editing the footage right now—good luck boys, and I’ll buy you a Red Bull Sugarfree for your efforts—but what we do have right now is the most important angle of all: the front view out the cockpit, shot on the GoPro Hero in full, glorious 1080p HD.

Watch Tajima storm the tarmac after the jump.

Standing Pikes Peak record holder Nobuhiro “Monster” Tajima is once again back on top of the world, being the first ever to break the 10 minute barrier at the treacherous Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. As in the past his weapon of choice was a Suzuki, with the SX4 Hill Climb Special laying down a massive 910 horsepower.

Suzuki cars might not be the strongest selling product in North America, but that might just change if and when they introduce the Swift PHEV.

After a few years of Suzuki offering a portable nav unit in its SX4 hatchback, the comapny announced it would offer an integrated, in-dash system, however the U.S won’t get the system.

In Japan however, it is a different story. Suzuki cars are still very popular there and May 2011 is clear proof of that, since their WagonR was the best selling car in the land of the rising sun.