Suzuki Swift in the US in 2011

The United States plays a key role in Suzuki's global market strategy and the company has established a whole new plan to increase its market share in the country in the next three years. Autonews writes that one of the most important goals is to work with General Motors on bringing a hybrid engine in the new Kizashi sedan, initially scheduled to go on sale in 2011.

But that's not all. Suzuki's popular Swift model is due to arrive in the States in 2011, the same year when the Japanese manufacturer rolls out the redesigned version of the car which is likely to bring revised exteriors and upgraded engine lineups. The American model will be powered by a 1.6-liter engine developing 123 horsepower.

Additionally, Suzuki will debut the SX4 which is going to be upgraded in 2010 with a new and more powerful engine plus new transmission systems and a CVT. A restyled version of the Grand Vitara SUV is projected to arrive sometime in 2012 to be sold as model year 2013. A 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine releasing 166 horsepower will join the range in 2010, together with a rear-drive version of the car.

The Kizashi sedan, which will bring the hybrid version in the US by 2011, will be powered by a 2.4l DOHC inline four-cylinder engine, mated to a six-speed manual transmission (with a CVT transmission provided as an option). Safety highlights include no less than eight airbags, Electronic Stability Program (ESP) 4, anti-lock braking system with electronic brake-force distribution, projector beam headlamps and a tire pressure monitoring system.