Auto Mechanic Training – Ohio Technical College

Suzuki Grand Vitara Build

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Ohio Technical College (OTC) students team up with American Suzuki Motor Corporation in customizing a Suzuki Grand Vitara with a nautical inspired theme providing a tie-in between Suzuki's automotive and marine divisions. The custom SUV will debut in Ohio Technical College's booth #38111 at the 2011 SEMA show November 1-4, 2011 in Las Vegas, NV at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Aftermarket accessories for this one-of-a-kind marine Suzuki project were provided by Stylin' Trucks and ARB. The vehicle modification includes: custom paint; oversized tires and wheels; suspension lift; bull bar bumper; ocean liner horn; neon license plate frame; bar side steps; hood scoop; shaved door handle kit; fender extensions; LED tail gate bar and underbody kit; LED headlight kit and driving light kit; hitch; back-up camera; winch; chrome exhaust tips; surf board rear view mirror; leather front/rear floor mats and a DVD head rest entertainment system. Industry partners ARB donated a refrigerator, Square One Energy provided the hydrogen generator electronics and Hydro Fuel 2 Go provided the hydro cell. In addition to adding all of these accessories, OTC students will be cutting the top off of the Grand Vitara and securing Suzuki outboard boat motors on the back of the vehicle along with other fabricated modifications to make it look more like a boat.

"After a successful project build with the 1957 Chevy Bel Air for industry veteran Vic Edelbrock, we were very excited to start this project vehicle with Suzuki," said Tom King, director of enrollment management, OTC. "This project will provide OTC students in our Automotive and Custom Paint and Graphics programs with another unique learning opportunity in vehicle modification"

The vehicle will be featured at several events in 2011 and 2012, including major auto shows in Los Angeles, Calif.; Detroit, Mich.; Chicago, Ill.; Philadelphia, Pa.; Denver, Colo.; and New York, N.Y.; in the Suzuki booth, as well as in the Ohio Technical College booth at AutoRama shows and special campus events.

If your company is interested in donating items for vehicle restoration/modification projects please contact Tim Cole at Ohio Technical College at 216-881-1700 or email tcole@ohiotechnicalcollege.com.

Watch for photo and video updates of the Suzuki Grand Vitara custom modification on:

OTC Twitter, http://www.twitter.ocom/ohiotechcollege,

OTC Facebook, http://www.facebook.com/ohiotechnicalcollege and

OTC's website http://www.ohiotech.edu/Suzuki+Grand+Vitara+Build as well as on

Suzuki's social media pages located at:

Suzuki Facebook http://www.facebook.com/suzukiauto,

Suzuki Twitter http://www.twitter.com/suzukiauto and

Suzuki YouTube http://www.youtube.com/suzukiautomotive.