Brits to exile Suzuki Jimny over emissions figures

Since its launch in 2018, it has won thousands of hearts around the globe with its “baby G-Wagen” styling and honest-to-goodness off-road abilities. But the fourth-generation Suzuki Jimny has failed to impress emissions target legislators in the UK and will be withdrawn from sale there at the end of this year.

Tough new CO emissions 2 regulations will affect many manufacturers, but with the Jimny being Suzuki’s star player, its disappearance from the market will surely make a dent.

Not that its pending exit is a surprise. Upon the 4x4’s launch two years ago, the Japanese manufacturer cautioned that while it would “make every effort to ensure delivery to its customers who have already placed an order”, at launch “the higher CO emissions levels of 2 this model would adversely affect its whole range CO average in Europe 2 after 2020”.

In other words, the Jimny was on borrowed time in the UK even before any customers managed to get behind the wheel. As a manufacturer of a variety of compact, capable passenger vehicles, Suzuki can’t afford to have one model dragging down its CO emissions average 2 score.

Other Suzukis, such as the Vitara and Ignis, are available with efficient mild-hybrid engine options in Europe, but the Jimny is powered by a 1.5-litre non-turbo petrol. Without any pure electric models in its Euro range to offset the lower tech options, Suzuki can’t afford to have one bad apple spoiling the bunch. Even if that apple is the shiniest in the fruit bowl.

No word on how the model will fare after the sales ban in other markets — including NZ, where the Auckland dealer has told us in the past that demand has outweighed supply since the Jimny arrived in its showroom. For now, the factory in Japan remains at capacity. Don’t expect the fun-sized off-roader to disappear for some time to come in our part of the world.