2005 Suzuki Swift European Preview

No Sign if Global Swift Will Replace Current Daewoo-Sourced Swift+ in 2005

Suzuki's global marketing plan is somewhat confusing with regards to the subcompact Swift. In Japan, the Swift is a Kei

Depending where you live in the world, the Suzuki Swift's appearance is incredibly varied. (Photo: Suzuki Canada)

vehicle based off the Wagon R. The super-compact is designed to be very affordable, falling within the jurisdictions lowest tax bracket. To Europeans, the Swift is a Hungarian-built three and five-door hatchback which North Americans will remember as the first-generation Suzuki Swift/Geo Metro/Chevrolet Sprint/Pontiac Firefly. While it also became the second-generation Subaru Justy, the model was not offered here.

Currently in Canada, however, the Swift has yet another identity. Not even a Suzuki-designed product, the Swift+ arrives as

Suzuki intends to unify at least two of its three markets with a brand new Swift. (Photo: Suzuki Canada)

part of the General Motors-Suzuki-Daewoo joint venture dubbed GMDAT. Suzuki adopted the Daewoo-designed Kalos for its Canadian offering, making our Swift+ nothing more than a rebadged Chevrolet Aveo5/Pontiac Wave. But for the oddly-styled Aerio sedan and wagon, and SUVs, soon to be dropped in favor of a Chevy Equinox derivative, Suzuki's Canadian car range consists of the cloned Chevy Epica which was also developed by Daewoo. The brand sells a rebadged Optra sedan, Optra5 and Optra wagon in the U.S., dubbed the Forenza, Reno and Forenza Wagon respectively.

Amidst all the confusion, Suzuki intends to unify at least two of its three markets with a brand new Swift, based around the show-stopping Concept S and Concept S2 of recent years past.