
Takashi Nakayama, the man responsible for engineering the next Suzuki Swift (which will be launched in 2011), says the new hatchback is being designed to conform to North American crash testing regulations. Suzuki, which currently sells the SX4 hatchback and sedan and the Grand Vitara SUV in the US, and which will launch the new Kizashi sedan there very soon, may also consider launching the next Swift hatchback in the US market.
The current Suzuki Swift is not sold in the US since it does not meet US crash testing and emissions norms. But with smaller cars getting increasingly popular in North America, Suzuki wants to make sure its next-gen Swift is compatible with US norms so it can be sold there.
In the meanwhile, Maruti Suzuki will shortly be updating the Swift, Wagon R and Alto for the Indian market, fitting these cars with Euro IV compatible engines.
Via Car & Driver