LexFather

I think its a lame fight but thought I'd share

WHICH MANUFACTURER pioneered the compact SUV segment? It’s an interesting question, but you won’t find agreement on the answer by talking to Toyota or Suzuki.

In a recent advertising campaign, Toyota has claimed that its RAV4 is “the original compact SUV”, a claim that Suzuki is vehemently countering.

“It’s one thing to make a lot of noise about being the original compact SUV; it’s another to actually prove it,” Suzuki Australia General Manager Tony Devers said.

Suzuki claims it was first; that it was responsible for starting the compact SUV segment with the release in 1988 of the original Vitara.

“Toyota showed a concept version of a compact SUV at the 1989 Tokyo Motor Show, but the first RAV4 did not go on sale until 1994,” he said.

Suzuki backs its argument with its claim that Suzuki’s engineering expertise with small SUVs stretches back beyond the first Vitara.

“Development of the Suzuki 4×4 compact car program began in 1968 and resulted in the launch of the first generation Jimny in 1970," Mr Devers said.

"Its compact body featured design elements never before seen in a 4×4 vehicle of that size, including ladder frame, rigid axle suspension and dual range transfer case.”

Now we’d be the last to let the facts get in the way of a good stoush but the original ‘Jimny 360’ – the Suzuki LJ 10 – was based on a vehicle developed by a small struggling Japanese manufacturer called Hope.

Its revolutionary HopeStar ON360, with a 360cc two-stroke engine (of Mitsubishi origin), transfer case and ladder frame had been released in 1965. Suzuki bought the rights from Hope in 1968 and developed the LJ 10 off the tiny HopeStar.

Of course, a bit of biffo between competing manufacturers is all rather entertaining, but we do have one question.

What about the 1948 Jeepster?

The Jeepster was a small crossover Jeep built for the passenger market back when the RAV4, Vitara, and LJ10 were barely twinkles in their Japanese manufacturers’ eyes.

Speaking with TMR today, Toyota Australia’s Public Relations Manager, Mike Breen said: "Toyota has conveyed its thoughts on the matter and don’t have anymore to add".

http://www.themotorreport.com....claim/









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TRDFantasy

Wow, this is really dissapointing on Suzuki's part .

Toyota has never even claimed the Rav 4 was the first "cute ute". If there was a Toyota marketing campaign claiming it as the "first compact SUV", then that is a bit of a marketing mistake. The Rav 4 was the first crossover.

Anyways, for Suzuki to actually get into an argument with Toyota is silly. The Rav 4 was the world's first crossover compact SUV. The Rav 4 was the first SUV to be built on a car platform.

The 1st-gen Vitara was built on a truck platform. Major FAIL on Suzuki's part .

MR_F1

This right there. I think that about seals it

92 SC400

Wait, these people actually WANT to claim to be the first? Who really cares who was the first to build compact SUV, is that really something to brag about?

I think admitting to just jumping on the band wagon is good enough for this one...

Byprodrive

iTrader: (1)

Suzuki was first to make a SUV that can tip over on national TV you gotta give them that

mmarshall

For a "Cute-Ute", we also have to assume a small, car-based SUV, rather than truck-based.

I don't think that either the RAV4 or the Samurai/Sidekick can really take credit for the original. And, of course, the Suzukis were off-road rated and truck-based.

My vote, though it was based on an existing sedan station/wagon, is the 1980-81 AMC Eagle and Eagle SX-4. AMC (and Audi/Subaru a few years later) pioneered the raised, unibody, car-based AWD concept that made the "Cute-Ute" possible.

GS3Tek

iTrader: (8)

exactly. let them claim their famous samurai as the first "whatever they want to call it"

emoshun

iTrader: (11)

I vote Suzuki!

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

Lets not forget Suzuki's counterpart. The GEO/Chevrolet Tracker lol

IS-SV

Agreed, lame fight, nobody cares.