Suzuki Stops Production Of Four Models In UK To Open Space For EVs

Suzuki Swift Sport. (Doc. Global Suzuki)

JAKARTA - Suzuki will announce that it will stop the production of models such as Ignis, Jimny, Swace, and Swift Sport in the UK in the coming months. This step was taken to provide space for its first electric vehicle (EV) to be launched soon.

Quoting from Autocar, Monday, July 1, the manufacturer with the 'S' logo linked the decision to the Zero-Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate that has been set in the UK and at the same time forced them to sell large amounts of EVs in the coming years.

This starts with each automotive manufacturer selling 22 percent this year, then increasing 28 percent by 2025, to 80 percent by 2030. The manufacturer will face a fine of 15,000 (IDR 310.9 million) for each combustion engine (ICE) car selling more than the allowed proportion.

UK Suzuki Director Dale Total, said that the discontinued production of a number of its models could lead to sales of hybrid cars and EVs in the UK market.

"We are out of the ICE era with a focus on the new SUV and Swift, then starting in the second half of 2025, we will start the period of growth of electric vehicles,"filling said.

The manufacturer confirmed that models like Swift Sport will not return as the latest generation. They added that some of the models that were stopped would disappear sooner when the stock from the dealer ran out.

Thus, Suzuki now only sells a few gasoline-engined models in the UK, ranging from Swift, Vitara, S-Cross, and Across.

Currently, the automotive manufacturer founded by Michio Suzuki is also developing its first electric vehicle called the EVX. This SUV-shaped car is claimed to have a number of things that are no less interesting than its rivals.

Built on Toyota's platform, namely 27PL, the SUV is expected to come with two battery variants with 40 kWh and 60 kWh. It is reported that the vehicle can run up to 550 km in one charge.

According to the news circulating, the Suzuki eVX is also supported by a fast charging system and Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) features and is offered on single and double electric motors.

This car was revealed to the public for the first time through the Auto Expo 2023 event in India in the form of a concept. The production version of the Suzuki EVX is planned to be marketed in India starting in 2025.