Will the VW Rocktan, based on SX4 make it to production?
It all began with German Conglomerate VW buying 19.9% of Suzuki shares. It started a new era in collaboration between the two firms. Unconfirmed reports say that VW are planning to increase their share in Suzuki at the rate of 10% every year in the next five years although none of the partners have let out a word on this. They are equally tight lipped on the joint development of the low cost Up! which could be built by Suzuki in certain low cost markets like India. The partners could use the Alto’s tried and tested underpinnings to build a new low cost car that could be shared with Seat and Skoda. (Remember VW-Suzuki’s replacement for the Alto?)
Click here to read about VW’s crossover Rocktan, based on Suzuki SX4.
Another are of co-operation is small SUVs. VW’s plans revealed 5 new crossovers/SUVs which are- Small SUV (Vitara), Compact SUV (SX4), Mid-size SUV (Tiguan), Mid-size + SUV (Q5, baby Cayenne) and Full-size SUV (Touareg). VW desires to make use of the Vitara platform but feels that it is too low tech to meet the expectations of the VW group. The SX4 platform is also under consideration for the next Crosspolo, Q1, Seat Tribu and Skoda Yeti III. However, VW don’t exactly prefer the looks of the SX4 meaning a rebadged SX4 is out of question. VW might invest more to create a common platform but nothing is confirmed now. The Tiguan platform is also under consideration but that is reportedly reserved for another crossover above the Passat.
The VW group is evolving. Suzuki will teach Seat and Skoda to save costs while Porsche, Bentley and Lamborghini will do their bit in making Audi cars lightweight by offering new technologies. What we are worried about is the outcome at the lower end of the spectrum. We will have to wait to find out what eventually happens as nothing has been announced yet.
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