Suzuki plans hybrid version of Kizashi

American Suzuki Motor Corp. says its Japanese parent is working on a hybrid version of the new Kizashi mid-sized sedan.

The confirmation from spokesman Jeff Holland followed a report in the Nikkei business daily that said Suzuki Motor Corp. plans to sell a gasoline-electric edition of the Kizashi in North America in 2011, using a system developed with General Motors Co.

Holland gave no rollout date and did not say whether GM would supply the hybrid technology. The standard four-cylinder Kizashi goes on sale this year.

Suzuki product planners have said projected sales for the Kizashi aren't likely to justify investment in a V6 engine. V6s account for 30 percent or more of the volume in competitors' mid-sized sedan lineups. A hybrid-four-cylinder could give Suzuki a cost advantage over rival V6 entries.

By Mark Rechtin- Automotive News