TeamSwift

Was on the phone to my TS Mentor, Dr. Phil. We were talking about the next project I'm embarking on and how I just ordered more original SGP lettering. We regaled over our "knowledge" of the famous lawsuit with VW in 1989 and what the ramifications were. I thought I'd throw this piece of trivia out there with a photo.

Can anyone tell me why the Original Replacement SGP lettering is like this for 1989?

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An eye for an eye will leave the whole world blind.

1989 Suzuki Swift GTi: Red "My PocketRocket"
1989 Suzuki Swift GTi: White (Being resurrected)
1996 Geo Metro (Stocker)
1999 Suzuki 1.6 Esteem (Baleno) Wagon (Sleeper creeper)

Anyone?

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An eye for an eye will leave the whole world blind.

1989 Suzuki Swift GTi: Red "My PocketRocket"
1989 Suzuki Swift GTi: White (Being resurrected)
1996 Geo Metro (Stocker)
1999 Suzuki 1.6 Esteem (Baleno) Wagon (Sleeper creeper)

Because Suzuki did not believe that its future emissions cheating ex-partner would think that consumers would confuse GTi with a GTI.

Actually VW had in the settlement language a line item inclusion, "Suzuki Corporation will cease and desist using GTi with the "I" being in the color known as "red"." Future oem replacements were settled on a color "other than red."

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An eye for an eye will leave the whole world blind.

1989 Suzuki Swift GTi: Red "My PocketRocket"
1989 Suzuki Swift GTi: White (Being resurrected)
1996 Geo Metro (Stocker)
1999 Suzuki 1.6 Esteem (Baleno) Wagon (Sleeper creeper)

.
Not Phil...... but had to look
.

.
.
I do have a slightly used set I will sell $2250
.

I know someone who has a SGP script package with the red "i" . It isn't a replacement but was a line batch item from Japan that never made it to a vehicle. They were all ordered to be destroyed under the terms of the agreement. He has the internal memo from Suzuki telling the plant to destroy all batches of the script with the red "i".

_________________



An eye for an eye will leave the whole world blind.

1989 Suzuki Swift GTi: Red "My PocketRocket"
1989 Suzuki Swift GTi: White (Being resurrected)
1996 Geo Metro (Stocker)
1999 Suzuki 1.6 Esteem (Baleno) Wagon (Sleeper creeper)

PS: Top ones look like what Strider was selling.

_________________



An eye for an eye will leave the whole world blind.

1989 Suzuki Swift GTi: Red "My PocketRocket"
1989 Suzuki Swift GTi: White (Being resurrected)
1996 Geo Metro (Stocker)
1999 Suzuki 1.6 Esteem (Baleno) Wagon (Sleeper creeper)

This was valid for the US only right?
My '91 came brand new with a red "i".

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1991-GTi: JE 75mm 11:1 pistons,Ported head, Single UD pulley (OCC),Sandros chip,Aluminium flywheel,3tech 222/365 cams, Cultus headers,Cultus IM,50mm tb,Crane cams adjustable cam gears,Apex suspension, 4.39fd GB.
1989-GTi: 3Tech 210/340 Cams,Cultus IM, B&G springs, TD04L turbo, Apexi SAFC, Suzukird UD pulley, Circuitse7en dual boost controller, AEM wideband, AEM water / meth injection kit, HKS bov.
2001-Altezza AS200: Stock.-sold
2003-EVO7 GT-A
Aruba "one happy island".

This I don't know. You offer a unique tidbit. Hmmm......the investigation will start.

EDIT: Suzuki and VW did a "by country" inclusion as VW had applied for and received trademark guarantees from the respective countries that they sued in. In 2004 Suzuki applied for a trademark on GT"i" known as "GTi" and VW sued in the European courts. Suzuki was able to prove there would be no trademark confusion as the courts presented other manufacturers that had successfully used GTI in their names. Suzuki won and VW promptly appealed. VW dropped their appeal of the decision in 2012.

But staying on track here it looks like GTI and GTi were considered different in some countries whereas in NA they were considered the same, hence Suzuki dropping GTi.

_________________



An eye for an eye will leave the whole world blind.

1989 Suzuki Swift GTi: Red "My PocketRocket"
1989 Suzuki Swift GTi: White (Being resurrected)
1996 Geo Metro (Stocker)
1999 Suzuki 1.6 Esteem (Baleno) Wagon (Sleeper creeper)

Thanks for the info. Now that I remember it, my uncles '90 GTi also came with the red "i".

Interesting about suzuki still pursuing the GTi badge in 2004. So there's still hope that they'll use the badge next year on the latest gen swift sport. It'll have the 1.4 litre turbo engine (boosterjet).

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1991-GTi: JE 75mm 11:1 pistons,Ported head, Single UD pulley (OCC),Sandros chip,Aluminium flywheel,3tech 222/365 cams, Cultus headers,Cultus IM,50mm tb,Crane cams adjustable cam gears,Apex suspension, 4.39fd GB.
1989-GTi: 3Tech 210/340 Cams,Cultus IM, B&G springs, TD04L turbo, Apexi SAFC, Suzukird UD pulley, Circuitse7en dual boost controller, AEM wideband, AEM water / meth injection kit, HKS bov.
2001-Altezza AS200: Stock.-sold
2003-EVO7 GT-A
Aruba "one happy island".

Suzuki owns the Trademark for GTi in Europe. I don't know where else they might, but if I was a betting man then I bet VW has bigger fish to fry than chasing a lower case red "i" around the world.

_________________



An eye for an eye will leave the whole world blind.

1989 Suzuki Swift GTi: Red "My PocketRocket"
1989 Suzuki Swift GTi: White (Being resurrected)
1996 Geo Metro (Stocker)
1999 Suzuki 1.6 Esteem (Baleno) Wagon (Sleeper creeper)

I belive Latin America also kept the gti with the red i.

I actually never saw any when I worked in Panama and Columbia. Idk, you could be right.

_________________



An eye for an eye will leave the whole world blind.

1989 Suzuki Swift GTi: Red "My PocketRocket"
1989 Suzuki Swift GTi: White (Being resurrected)
1996 Geo Metro (Stocker)
1999 Suzuki 1.6 Esteem (Baleno) Wagon (Sleeper creeper)

we have the red "i" here in Australia as well. But as time went on they didn't bother and now have moved to 'Sport'

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There are three kinds of people in the world, those that can count and those that can't

Neo, is Garndi still around?

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An eye for an eye will leave the whole world blind.

1989 Suzuki Swift GTi: Red "My PocketRocket"
1989 Suzuki Swift GTi: White (Being resurrected)
1996 Geo Metro (Stocker)
1999 Suzuki 1.6 Esteem (Baleno) Wagon (Sleeper creeper)

Hey NF:
You can still Viber me.

We've got the red 'I' on Mama's car, but the other GTi was purchased without badging.
Having the red 'I' on a red background:

somewhat frustrates viewers.

You can bet, when Mama drives it, they can only see her back.

Havent heard from him for a few years now, last was in England.

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There are three kinds of people in the world, those that can count and those that can't