Suzuki has put its future electric cars on hold while it “monitors the market” amid a general slowdown in EV uptake, president Toshihiro Suzuki has said.
Four electric models were due before the end of the decade as part of a $35 billion (£27bn) EV investment, starting with the eVitara that was launched today.
These models have already been previewed in silhouette form (below), and although Suzuki has yet to confirm which segments they will occupy, they are clear matches for the likes of the S-Cross and Ignis, suggesting the brand will look to electrify some of its most popular models.
However, at the launch of the eVitara – its first EV – Toshihiro Suzuki would not set a date for when the next electric car would arrive, nor confirm if the target was still to launch five EVs by 2030.
“We are in a very difficult situation at this moment as the sales of BEVs are slowing down,” he said, “and on the other hand affordable and cheap EVs from China are coming into the market, so it is a very difficult time to introduce [further] BEVs.”
He added: “Looking at the current situation, the government incentives for BEVs are going out and, [coupled] with Chinese EVs that have very strong [segment] competitiveness, you have to think carefully about what type of BEV should be introduced to the market and in what time.”
Speaking about the next EV, which will be “smaller than the eVitara”, Toshihiro Suzuki said: “All I can say is look forward to it, but again we have to keep watching how eVitara sales will go but also how the market trends go [before setting a date].”
Despite this, EVs remain a key part of the firm’s future. “Although I said we have to monitor the situation, that does not mean we are leaving BEV development, so we are going to keep up the development,” he added.
“But we are not going to concentrate on just EVs, and the other idea is to merge pathways such as with biogas fuel in India. We want to keep our development in parallel.”
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Also, sales of EVs are NOT slowing down. Sales of EVs are increasing. How can we trust the boss of Suzuki if he doesn't even understand a graph? BTW New Automotive are a better source of UK car stats than the SMMT is. They release the monthly sales figures more quickly and without all the spin.
Madness. They need to be in it to win it. Standing on the sidelines will just lead to decline as others fill the gap. There is no future for internal combustion, therefore it will stop.
The Chinese are dominating EVs as they are fully commiting to them. Half-hearted attempts are unlikely to be competitive (which is causing many brands to fall behind). My Suzuki Swift GTi and Suzuki Swift Sport (Mk2) were the cars I kept the longest, and the cars I have enjoyed owning most. I wish Suzuki good luck, but I fear for their future without a strong plan for EVs.