Suzuki Required to Abandon Majority of Its Australian Range Due to New Regulations | Carscoops

      Five Suzuki models are set to be rendered incompatible with the forthcoming Australian Design Rules (ADR) for autonomous emergency braking systems.

      The Ignis, Swift Sport, Vitara, S-Cross, and three-door Jimny will only be available from existing stock in 2025.

      The Swift and the Jimny XL will remain unaffected, as Suzuki is currently devising a solution for the Jimny.

      In response to impending safety regulations that most of its existing models fail to meet, Suzuki is making significant changes to its Australian lineup. While the new Swift and five-door Jimny XL will not be discontinued, most of the other models are at risk. Thankfully, Suzuki has a strategy for some of its phased-out models in the Australian market.

      This major alteration is due to the fact that the Suzuki Ignis, Swift Sport, Vitara, S-Cross, and three-door Jimny do not conform to the updated Australian Design Rules (ADR), which take effect on March 1, 2025, and include specific criteria for the autonomous emergency braking (AEB) system. Among these, the Ignis is the only model lacking AEB as standard, whereas the others feature an outdated version of the system, making them all non-compliant.

      According to Michael Pachota, managing director of Suzuki Australia, who spoke with local media CarExpert, these models had already reached the end of their lifecycle, making their removal from the lineup part of their product planning process. He mentioned that while the company has ceased production orders for these models, there is sufficient inventory to keep them available through 2025.

      More crucially, Suzuki is “exploring” options for reintroducing the three-door Jimny to the Australian market after current stocks are depleted. Although specifics were not disclosed, the compact off-roader may incorporate the newer dual-camera AEB system already present in the five-door version. It remains unclear whether this adjustment will be implemented as part of a standard model year update or a more extensive redesign.

      Aside from the Jimny, Suzuki is expected to release mildly refreshed hybrid versions of the Vitara and S-Cross SUVs in the Australian market. Further details are anticipated in the third quarter of the year, although the facelifted Vitara is already available in Europe, providing Australians with a preview of what to expect.

      While the Ignis urban crossover and the Swift Sport hot hatch are likely to be discontinued without successors, the local Suzuki lineup will soon welcome a new addition—the Fronx SUV manufactured in India.

      In addition to Suzuki, the upcoming ADR regulations have impacted various models from other manufacturers, including the Mitsubishi ASX, Eclipse Cross, and Pajero Sport, as well as the Mazda6, all of which have been removed from their lineups. Most of these models were nearing the end of their lifecycles, making it unfeasible to invest in potential upgrades for the Australian market.