Suzuki to streamline new car range as ZEV mandate bites

Suzuki GB has revealed that it will cease sales of four of its current new car range by early 2025 as it transitions to fully comply with all UK and EU emissions legislation.

The Swift Sport, Ignis, Swace and Jimny LCV will be discontinued from Suzuki's new car line up "by early 2025, or sooner if dealer stock depletes", said a statement from the car brand.

Suzuki will introduce its first pure electric car in 2025, the eVX, and by 2030 it will add another four EVs to its range.

Its hybrid model line-up will comprise of Swift, Vitara, S-Cross and Across PHEV.

Suzuki GB director Dale Wyatt said ‘‘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 SUVs and new Swift, then starting in the second half of 2025 we’ll begin a period of EV growth.‘‘

Carmakers are being encouraged to sell a rising proportion of zero emission cars by the Zero Emission Vehicle Mandate, which sets annual targets and drives compliance through financial penalties and credits.

The ZEV mandate sets out the percentage of new zero emission cars and vans manufacturers will be required to produce each year up to 2030. It targets 80% of new cars and 70% of new vans sold in Great Britain to be zero emission by 2030, increasing to 100% by 2035.

In 2024, when the UK has a 22% ZEV Mandate target, Suzuki aims to sell similar new car volumes in the UK and Ireland to those it achieved last year.

Its full-year UK registrations were 26,574 in 2023, according to data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

In May, Suzuki GB announced that Jon Coles had taken responsibility for all the company's dealer divisions retailing Suzuki motorcycles, cars, ATVs and marine equipment.

Coles, who had been general manager of aftersales services, has the title of general manager of dealer development. That role was previously held by Mark Hallam, who retired in March.