RE: Suzuki calls time on Swift Sport, Jimny and more

[nismo48]

It's sad but probably inevitable given the current state of the market.
They made some good honest and reliable cars.

[Magikarp]

GreatScott2016 said:

That is such a shame and while I’ve never been a Suzuki customer, I’ve often been tempted by the little Jimny.

As was I, until I drove one. They drive very well but there is less shoulder room in a Jimney than in my wife’s electric Smart, and because of the bulkhead, I’d need the seat back at least another six or more inches. Just too small inside.

[Mackofthejungle]

Shame Suzuki never managed to put a good engine in the jimny. Where was the 3 cylinder turbo, or the plug in hybrid version? Always meant it was an expensive city car rather than a practical alternative to a fiesta (for example).

Small EVs won't be fast to appear on the market, so I guess that's that.

[Angelo1985]

(Imitating will smith piloting a fighter jet in “indipendente day”)

NOOOOOOO JIMNY NOOOOOO!!!!

[Twinair]

Silly to penalise these cars on the alter of EV regulations

Sure enough - the regular EVangelists will be along shortly to tell everyone that:

Mass does not matter - heavier is actually better, road surface - pedestrians etc

Batteries literally ‘save’ a polar bear every time one leaves the factory

Driving pleasure is directly and inversely related to character

Aerodynamics are ‘the’ wanted thing by the modern motorist

Oh yeah, and

3 feet square iPad screens are totally safe & supremely ergonomic - like no analogue dial or mechanical switch can ever be

Bla bla - etc…

[Getragdogleg]

Magikarp said:

GreatScott2016 said:

That is such a shame and while I’ve never been a Suzuki customer, I’ve often been tempted by the little Jimny.

As was I, until I drove one. They drive very well but there is less shoulder room in a Jimney than in my wife’s electric Smart, and because of the bulkhead, I’d need the seat back at least another six or more inches. Just too small inside.

I removed the bulkhead in mine, I'm 6ft and drive it with ease now.

Shame Suzuki didn't put a newer engine in it and keep it going.

[Chris C2]

In 2023 Suzuki revealed a 5 model EV plan including one (shown in silhouette) looking very much like another Jimny. In the meantime there might be an opportunity for grey imports of 5 door Jimnies from India?

[Simon_GH]

Chris C2 said:

In 2023 Suzuki revealed a 5 model EV plan including one (shown in silhouette) looking very much like another Jimny. In the meantime there might be an opportunity for grey imports of 5 door Jimnies from India?

I think the Jinny would make a great EV.

[ChrisCh86]

OPC100 said:

Actually just reading about the ZEV mandate and it is 22% ev this year. Some manufacturers are going to have to do some serious 'juggling the books' this year to make that work.

Yep - this is just the beginning. I don't think the general public really appreciates the severity of these targets yet.

Lots of manufacturers are going to stop selling many models in the UK in order to hit the ZEV mandate targets (they will be available in other countries though).

I can't imagine that the targets will stay as they are with the new government - but we'll have to wait and see.

The ZEV targets are:

2024 22%
2025 28%
2026 33%
2027 38%
2028 52%
2029 66%
2030 80%

Every car sold that doesn't comply faces a £15,000 fine.

Edited by ChrisCh86 on Friday 28th June 22:30

[xu5]

My 180bhp non hybrid Swift consistantly gets 47 -50 mpg over a tank without trying. Dont know how that equates to an EV but it is a sad day to be loosing another lightweight, simple everyday car.

[ducnick]

ChrisCh86 said:

OPC100 said:

Actually just reading about the ZEV mandate and it is 22% ev this year. Some manufacturers are going to have to do some serious 'juggling the books' this year to make that work.

Yep - this is just the beginning. I don't think the general public really appreciates the severity of these targets yet.

Lots of manufacturers are going to stop selling many models in the UK in order to hit the ZEV mandate targets (they will be available in other countries though).

I can't imagine that the targets will stay as they are with the new government - but we'll have to wait and see.

The ZEV targets are:

2024 22%
2025 28%
2026 33%
2027 38%
2028 52%
2029 66%
2030 80%

Every car sold that doesn't comply faces a £15,000 fine.

Edited by ChrisCh86 on Friday 28th June 22:30

I always got the impression that Suzuki cars probably just about broke even in the U.K.
Given the numbers above for zero emission penalties, and the low sticker price of their cars, exiting the market was the only viable option. Let’s not forget that Suzuki has other products that are not impacted by silly targets. They make cracking motorcycles and outboards, and I suspect the markup on these is better than on a low cost car.

[ducnick]

ChrisCh86 said:

OPC100 said:

Actually just reading about the ZEV mandate and it is 22% ev this year. Some manufacturers are going to have to do some serious 'juggling the books' this year to make that work.

Yep - this is just the beginning. I don't think the general public really appreciates the severity of these targets yet.

Lots of manufacturers are going to stop selling many models in the UK in order to hit the ZEV mandate targets (they will be available in other countries though).

I can't imagine that the targets will stay as they are with the new government - but we'll have to wait and see.

The ZEV targets are:

2024 22%
2025 28%
2026 33%
2027 38%
2028 52%
2029 66%
2030 80%

Every car sold that doesn't comply faces a £15,000 fine.

Edited by ChrisCh86 on Friday 28th June 22:30

I always got the impression that Suzuki cars probably just about broke even in the U.K.
Given the numbers above for zero emission penalties, and the low sticker price of their cars, exiting the market was the only viable option. Let’s not forget that Suzuki has other products that are not impacted by silly targets. They make cracking motorcycles and outboards, and I suspect the markup on these is better than on a low cost car.

[The Driving God]

Slow news day

[Jader1973]

Brett748 said:

This EV thing is a total red herring. How can replacing small, 1000kg cars with 2 tonne+ EVs with the associated embodied energy sustainable?!

The world has gone mad.

Australia are introducing a CAFE type scheme year.

The output for a vehicle is based on mass x a factor x the CO2 number.

However, the mass has to be within a set range, 1500 to 2200kg (from memory).

So, if your car is 1000kg like a Swift you have to use 1500 in the formula, however if you are over 2200kg like a huge petrol SUV then you get let off lightly.

Totally unfair.

[soad]

Maccmike8 said:

Such a shame.

[rodericb]

Jader1973 said:

Brett748 said:

This EV thing is a total red herring. How can replacing small, 1000kg cars with 2 tonne+ EVs with the associated embodied energy sustainable?!

The world has gone mad.

Australia are introducing a CAFE type scheme year.

The output for a vehicle is based on mass x a factor x the CO2 number.

However, the mass has to be within a set range, 1500 to 2200kg (from memory).

So, if your car is 1000kg like a Swift you have to use 1500 in the formula, however if you are over 2200kg like a huge petrol SUV then you get let off lightly.

Totally unfair.

Yeah, the ACT first then god knows where next.... The irony is that EV's won't cost any less to register every year, things like the Ford Ranger barely increase but the Rav4 hybrid cops a big penalty.

[Gibbler290]

gravitygravy said:

Well that's the residuals on my Jimny guaranteed for another 5 years!

Bizarre that they're binning the Ignis, they're great little cars.

Are they selling any though?

[Laup99]

Sold our mk2 swift sport this year for new MX5.

N/A for and N/A.... not sure we will have that choice kn 4 years time.

Ref the Swift Sport...... one of the best cars I have ever owned. 8 years, no issues and super fun at sensible speeds.

Great brand Suzuki..... very underatted

[biggbn]

Love the Swift Sport, but I'd really like a Jimny commercial...they are still well over 20k though!!

[Gibbler290]

Twinair said:

Silly to penalise these cars on the alter of EV regulations

Sure enough - the regular EVangelists will be along shortly to tell everyone that:

Mass does not matter - heavier is actually better, road surface - pedestrians etc

Batteries literally ‘save’ a polar bear every time one leaves the factory

Driving pleasure is directly and inversely related to character

Aerodynamics are ‘the’ wanted thing by the modern motorist

Oh yeah, and

3 feet square iPad screens are totally safe & supremely ergonomic - like no analogue dial or mechanical switch can ever be

Bla bla - etc…

Old man yells at cloud, the post.


It’s actually quite simple. They weren’t selling enough (which is surprising as based on the love for the Jimny and the Swift on PH I expected they sold trillions of them).