Suzuki drops APV, Jimny on hold

UPDATED: 21/02/2018

SUZUKI Australia has discontinued its APV light-commercial van and curbed sales of its Jimny four-wheel-drive wagon as they both lack crucial safety equipment.

The APV is not offered with stability control, meaning it is not eligible for sale and it no longer appears on Suzuki Australia’s consumer website.

Federal government regulation states that from November 2017, every light-commercial vehicle sold in Australia is required to have an ESC system as standard.

Suzuki Australia said in a statement: “We can confirm the Suzuki APV has been discontinued in the Australian market effective immediately.”

The Indonesian-built APV van occupied a unique place in its segment as the only offering with its high-set, van-like body style and small proportions. It competed against the Volkswagen Caddy, Renault Kangoo, Citroen Berlingo and the Fiat Doblo.

Suzuki Australia sold 270 APVs last year, a 42.8 per cent drop, but none were sold last month, indicating that stock has completely dried up.

Meanwhile, Suzuki Australia has been forced to dramatically decrease the number of Jimnys it can sell Down Under. According to Suzuki, because the Jimny is not offered with side airbags, the company can only import a total of 100 units per year.

“The Suzuki Jimny has been removed from suzuki.com.au to avoid confusion. This is based on the limited number of vehicles we can supply due to government requirements,” Suzuki said in a statement.

Suzuki’s rugged rock hopper has been on sale in its third generation since late 1998 – albeit with running updates throughout its life cycle – making it one of the oldest vehicles on the Australian market before it was dropped.

Last year, Jimny sales slowed dramatically, with just 101 examples finding homes. It appears that Suzuki is closely controlling stock as the last Jimny Suzuki sold was in October last year, according to official VFACTS sales figures.

However, there is a new Jimny on the way and it is expected to be revealed some time this year.

Judging by spy shots published overseas, the first all-new Jimny in 20 years will retain its boxy looks and go-anywhere ability but will likely adopt the latest Suzuki powertrains as well as new safety and comfort features.

The Japanese car-maker dropped its Celerio micro hatch in August last year after just two-and-a-half years on sale, with the company citing slow sales.

The Kizashi was also let go in 2016 after Suzuki ended production of its mid-size contender that was charged with taking on the likes of the Toyota Camry after it failed to gain traction in the market.

Suzuki currently offers the Baleno and Swift light hatchbacks and the Ignis, Vitara, S-Cross and Grand Vitara crossovers in Australia.