No, this is not a scam. Suzuki has drawn up this US-only scheme for the good looking Kizashi saloon which hits American showrooms this month. Suzuki calls its D-segment challenger ‘sports sedan’ and has targetted not Accord/Mazda 6 buyers, but junior execs from premium brands such as Audi and Acura!
To be eligible for the $100 cheque or debit card, those considering an Audi A4 or Acura TSX (the European market Accord) must first test drive a Kizashi at a Suzuki dealer and complete the registration form. Then, if you still actually buy the Audi A4 2.0T or a four-cylinder Acura TSX within 10 days, the 100 bucks is yours.
“The Kizashi was designed to offer a premium driving experience consistent with the near-luxury sport sedan segment. With styling, performance characteristics, luxury features and a new advanced AWD system on par with the Audi A4 and Acura TSX, we’re providing potential sport sedan buyers another reason to consider the Kizashi-at a substantial savings. We’re definitely putting Kizashi’s premium without the premium moniker to the test,” explains Koichi Suzuki, executive vice president of American Suzuki Automotive Operations.
Novel idea isn’t it? Will something like this work in our part of the world?
For more information about the Kizashi, read up Paul’s earlier post here.
1st!
Suzuki Kizashi is going to meet the New Hyundai Sonata directly in the US!
At the same price i really wonder what will be the sales ratio of Sonata and Kizashi in US. Looking forward to the US sales report in 2010!
this is like rewarding audi and acura fanboy. In the computer world, Apple fanboy will never buy Windows 7 or any other product apart from Apple, same goes for Audi and Acura.
It would be a better idea to allow them to test drive it for a week or two + special price if they decided to go with Suzuki. Once a person is used to a system, it will be hard for them to readjust.
hmm….free $100 ….
Maybe P2 will pay Exora owner to test drive Alza after this.
If proton or perodua were to have this marketing gimmick, they will be giving out more money without even selling a single car. the next thing we see this that Proton and Perodua shares in the share market drop drastically and close shop. LOL.
Time sharing and Medicare companies used to give free holidays for those attending their sales pitch.
Of course you’ve got to sit through half a day of tactical persuasion that make you feel so embarassed not to buy. And the holidays are only for weekdays off peak nearby resorts.
Thank you very much, I’ll rather spend my time somewhere else than goes through the torture without any intention of buying in the first place.
yeah, free 100 bucks!
i doubt it’ll be hard for suzuki to take on Audi, since Audi has a whole range of fantastic vehicles, so does honda.
suzuki only has select models in a few segments.
and lets get down to it, is there even anything better looking than the A4 in the particular segment?
read the reviews inline…i tink autoexpress uk has a road test n according to them , its shocking how good the car is ! handling,quality,engine (2.4cc camry engine)…..the only concern is the badge…..
looks like a desparate move.Brand wise suzuki is not in the same league as audi or acura.people looking to buy one of these brands are usually quite focussed on what they want.
well..time will tell if this idea works or not..suzuki has a lot of confidence in their product to be doing such a thing.
i can imagine proton doing this, free proton car per test drive
erm.. Audi A4 wo…
can this car really compete with Audi A4??
the exterior already loose to Audi…
although its a good car i belive, the name ‘suzuki’ is for me suitable for motorbike only.
that why people buy audi, AUDI its car.
its psychological effect sometimes, a big factor,
US$100 buys a lot of groceries!
I like it. I already want an Acura, might as well get $100 from Suzuki and just test their cars. lol
mystvearn said,
December 4, 2009 @ 5:31 pm
I like it. I already want an Acura, might as well get $100 from Suzuki and just test their cars. lol
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haha i like your style
we in the audi sales team first question to customers walk-in now is
“Are you planning to buy our car within 10 days?”
If yes, please proceed to suzuki showroom across the street,thank you.”
I think it is genius idea. And some more the car look good to.. but the prototype look even better
LOL !!! If this were to be introduce in Malaysia, the buyers will have a field day. A lot of RM100 would be given out.
Helping Audi and Acura buyers…… i would say…..
Why not P2 does the same thing?Let rakyat test drive 1st the reward them RM100 if they still go for Exora?What ajoke!!!Then P2 bankrup…
I would rather go for an Audi
A novel marketing strategy! Let’s see if the Suzuki brand can pass the test! The exterior styling of this new Suzuki is very attractive, obviously not penned by a Japanese designer.
want it here in malaysia
proton should come with good looking car after this.they cant wait anymore
unless they plan to bungkus. proton plant at tanjung malim and shah alam also maybe can do..their engineer also smart..proton please bersaing with like other manufacture to cater m’sian and other market
its real funny when i read some comment suggesting p1 or p2 will chap lap if this was implemented locally.. cant u read that buyer must purchase the opposition car before awarded with the cash?
replying lo said,
December 5, 2009 @ 11:04 am
its real funny when i read some comment suggesting p1 or p2 will chap lap if this was implemented locally.. cant u read that buyer must purchase the opposition car before awarded with the cash?
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yeap, and this strategy, if the buyer already bought the opposition car, why would he buy this car? suzuki should concentrate on making things they are good at. like the suzuki swift. just hope it isn’t made in india like that disaster called suzuki alto.
sure Suzuki can take on Audi and Acura?
people who consider Audi or Acura know what they want…
Suzuki wo…
and the front looks like SX4 sedan, which is totally terrible in terms of size proportion.
sorry suzuki, but i seriously doubt you can make it….
it will only allow audi or acura buyers to have an extra accessory with that $100.
Clever marketing if you ask me. First, by doing this, people are already seing Suzuki, Audi, and Acura in the one sentence, and people are discussing it! Second, They picked Audi and Acura because they know well that a small % of these potential buyers will actually bother testing a Suzuki, and not many will go on to buy the Audi or Acura within the 10 days.
So, even if this ends up costing them a few million $, that’s pretty cheap for the marketing it’s winning for them.
Oh, and maybe the car is awesome?
In a way, it won’t be a “losing” strategy for Suzuki. The way I see it:
a) The die-hard Audi and Acura fans will not bother to test-drive the Suzuki anyway
b) Out of those that do test-drive the Suzuki, many will not be bothered to go back to claim the US$100 after buying the Audi/Acura
c) How many do actually buy the Audi A4 or Acura TSX? I’m sure it’s a small handful, and consist of the well-off customers. So Suzuki will not really lose a lot of US$100, and anyway, they get the attention of the high-end clientele.
d) Like some forumers said, the benefit of this program is to force the consumer to talk about the Kizashi in the same breath as the A4 or Acura TSX. So, it’s a publicity gimmick for Suzuki.
not being bias but why can’t the koreans do this? simple, powerful and classy instead of trying to be just classy, powerful and too visual
test drive b4 buy audi /acura , to get $100
what an ads from suzuki??