Seems like it’s almost every other day when we hear of some auto manufacturer getting in bed with another where before there was only hostility?
I’m reminded of this by the first-drives coming out about the Suzuki Equator, a rebadged Nissan Frontier pickup built in Tennesee. Now is definitely not the time to be introducing a pickup – not even a reasonably sized one – without either a four-cylinder engine or alternative fuel, neither of which the ’Zuk has. I predict this one won’t last long…
It follows a long line of head-scratching decisions like the Chrysler Town & Country-based Volkswagen Routan, the Lotus-based Dodge EV, the new Lotus-based Fiat Dino, and the Dodge Ram-based Nissan Titan.
(Is it just me or is Chry Co. at the centre of most of these?)
As the economy contracts and bottom lines get pinched, we’re only going to see more of these agreements and bizarre creations as automakers find ways to save money. Why spend big bucks on developing a new platform when you can just buy your competition’s?