Suzuki to cull key models

Richard Aucock, Contributor
Wed, 03 Jul 2024

Suzuki has announced it will discontinue several much-loved models by early 2025 at the latest as it prepares for an electric future.

The Suzuki Ignis, the Suzuki Swift Sport and the Toyota Corolla-based Suzuki Swace along with the Jimny Commercial will all be dropped by early 2025 – or sooner if dealer stock depletes more quickly.

This will leave the Japanese firm with the new Suzuki Swift, the popular Suzuki Vitara, the Suzuki S-Cross and the Suzuki Across petrol-powered models in its line-up.

The streamlining of its range is in order to ensure Suzuki complies with all UK and EU legislation, including the controversial UK ZEV Mandate.

To fill the gap in its range, Suzuki will reveal its first fully electric car later in 2025, ahead of launching further EVs throughout its range in the years to 2030.

Suzuki UK and Ireland director Dale Wyatt explained that "the departure of these models will make room for EV and enable us to compete during a period where our sales ratio of hybrid versus EV products will drive our business."

"We’re exiting the ICE era with a focus on SUV’s and new Swift, then starting in the second half of 2025 we’ll begin a period of EV growth," he says.

Despite the departure of strong-selling models such as the Suzuki Ignis city car, Suzuki insists its 2024 sales will still be similar to those of 2023, helped by the launch of the new Suzuki Swift small car, which the firm hopes will fill the gap left by the demise of the Ford Fiesta.

Wyatt also believes the firm’s innovative free ‘service-activated’ seven-year warranty will also help continue to attract customers.

Each time a Suzuki is booked in for a service at an official dealer, an extra year’s warranty is added, up to seven years or 100,000 miles. Introduced in 2023, more than 26,000 customers are already registered for the free-of-charge warranty.

Ask HJ

What car would you recommend for both short trips and very long journeys?

I have just started a new job which will involve driving long distances at periods across all kinds of roads including motorways and single lane roads. I will be using my own vehicle, but when I am not travelling for work, I will be doing a lot of shorter town journeys. Reliability is really important for me as I will often find myself in remote locations. I have a budget of up to £18k max and am looking to purchase a vehicle no more than 4 years old with old to 40k mileage, as I will be keeping it for 5 years before trading it in and would also therefore like for it to have a good resale value. I really like Toyota and most of the Japanese and Asian car brands. I need a big boot too as I will also have a dog in the vehicle a lot of the time outside of work and for carrying luggage. I have test drove the Kia Xceed and thought it was okay. I like the look of the Toyota C-HR but worry about the battery issues. The Toyota Corolla is alright but the boot is rather small. I am currently looking at the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross. I really like it, but it does not seem too fuel efficient.

A Toyota Corolla Touring Sports (that's the estate version) sounds ideal. It's an extremely reliable car that ought to be very cheap to run for the next five years. Your budget will get a 2021 model in high-spec Design trim. Take a look at the Suzuki Swace, too - it's essentially a Corolla with a Suzuki badge, but you might find that you get a little more for your money.

Answered by Andrew Brady

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