Suzuki Launches New Escudo (Vitara) in Japan
After almost seventeen years of production and several facelifts, Suzuki has just announced the replacement for its Escudo compact SUV. The Escudo, also known as the Vitara (variations include the V6-powered Grand Vitara and the extended-wheelbase XL-7) and in its early years as the Sidekick, gained international fame as one of the first mass-produced compact SUVs, bringing four-wheel drive and off-roading capabilities to market in a civilized, refined and value-priced package. In its years in production, Suzuki paired up with GM to produce variations on the original, successfully selling them as Chevrolets, Asunas, and even GMCs.