CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA - It's a well known car brand here in Central Pennsylvania but just last week, the American Suzuki Motor Corporation announced it would be winding down car sales in the US as it plans to restructure its business.
Many Suzuki customers are now looking for answers as to what it means for them.
Two of the biggest Suzuki car dealerships in Central Pennsylvania told WTAJ owner warranties will still be honored, as is the case for Suzuki dealerships across the country.
"The warranty is taken care of," said Steve Goldstein, General Manager of 5-Star Suzuki in State College.
Goldstein says Suzukis sold very well in Central PA, but acknowledges sales were lacking in other parts of the country.
"A lot of people that own Suzuki dealerships had other franchises," he said. "They sort of put Suzuki on the back-burner, whereas the successful Suzuki dealerships were standalone."
Greg Sloan, owner of 5-Star Suzuki in Altoona tells WTAJ potential Suzuki customers don't have to worry about the future value of the product, and believes now people will have huge incentives to buy Suzukis.
Sloan also said it's quite possible another distributor will take over where the American Suzuki Motor Corporation (ASMC) left off, and may start importing Suzukis in the not-so-distant future.
Both dealerships plan on selling Suzukis for as long as they can, and anticipate shipments will continue for a few months.
Vehicle service and support will also remain.
Goldstein says he's planning on looking at other possible brands, but for the short term, his dealership will try selling more pre-owned cars.
"We're going to solidify our parts and service for our current and past Suzuki customers, and we're going to expand our used cars," he said.
The American Suzuki Corp. plans to focus more attention on ATV, marine and motorcycle sales going forward.
Suzuki is based out of Japan.
Many Suzuki customers are now looking for answers as to what it means for them.
Two of the biggest Suzuki car dealerships in Central Pennsylvania told WTAJ owner warranties will still be honored, as is the case for Suzuki dealerships across the country.
"The warranty is taken care of," said Steve Goldstein, General Manager of 5-Star Suzuki in State College.
Goldstein says Suzukis sold very well in Central PA, but acknowledges sales were lacking in other parts of the country.
"A lot of people that own Suzuki dealerships had other franchises," he said. "They sort of put Suzuki on the back-burner, whereas the successful Suzuki dealerships were standalone."
Greg Sloan, owner of 5-Star Suzuki in Altoona tells WTAJ potential Suzuki customers don't have to worry about the future value of the product, and believes now people will have huge incentives to buy Suzukis.
Sloan also said it's quite possible another distributor will take over where the American Suzuki Motor Corporation (ASMC) left off, and may start importing Suzukis in the not-so-distant future.
Both dealerships plan on selling Suzukis for as long as they can, and anticipate shipments will continue for a few months.
Vehicle service and support will also remain.
Goldstein says he's planning on looking at other possible brands, but for the short term, his dealership will try selling more pre-owned cars.
"We're going to solidify our parts and service for our current and past Suzuki customers, and we're going to expand our used cars," he said.
The American Suzuki Corp. plans to focus more attention on ATV, marine and motorcycle sales going forward.
Suzuki is based out of Japan.
Charlotte Ames is the area's only local Health Reporter and brings you the latest medical health news weeknights. You can catch Healthcast on WTAJ News at 5:00pm and her Health Headlines report on WTAJ News at 5:30pm.