SUZUKI Australia is ready to say goodbye to the long-serving Ignis gentle SUV, and good day to the all-new Fronx crossover within the first half of 2025.
It is likely to be a kind of awkward farewells, although, with the Ignis anticipated to be bought for a number of months into 2025 alongside the Fronx, which is anticipated to be dearer than the automotive it’s going to primarily change.
For context, the present Ignis sells from $21,490 plus on-road prices, making it essentially the most wallet-friendly choice within the Suzuki Australia vary. However contemplating this era mannequin launched in 2016 at $15,990 plus on-roads for a near-identical spec, worth and positioning of the brand new Fronx will probably be essential for the model.
Talking with GoAuto on the current launch of the brand new Swift Hybrid, Suzuki Australia normal supervisor Michael Pachota mentioned there could also be some crossover between the 2 little crossovers because the Ignis is phased out.
“Domestically, it’s a new mannequin introduction for us as a result of will probably be a lightweight SUV,” Mr Pachota mentioned, earlier than confirming the Fronx will arrive “early in 2025”.
“I am unable to see these two fashions promoting facet by facet exterior of 2025,” he mentioned. “There could also be a transition, topic to, I assume, provide and gross sales.”
Mr Pachota didn’t touch upon pricing for the brand new mannequin, but when the trajectory of the Swift is something to go by, Australia might see the Indian-built Fronx arrive right here near the present Ignis pricing.
Mr Pachota mentioned that he was acutely aware of prices and providing what a broad vary of customers need, and that Suzuki Australia must be conscious of the approaching inflow of latest manufacturers from China within the coming six to 18 months.
“The extra gamers within the recreation, topic to the segments that they compete in, create larger alternatives for section consideration, which creates extra clients in these areas to be thought of as an choice.
“So for me, I see that as a possibility to have these opponents there. Clearly, we do not wish to flood the market with 100 manufacturers in Australia, which makes it extraordinarily aggressive and tough. However on the similar time, I do not want them any hurt, and I want them the perfect of luck,” he mentioned.
Mr Pachota additional backed his earlier feedback as reported final yr, concerning the potential introduction of a Japanese-built ‘Kei’ automotive for Australia, although he admitted there had been no vital motion on the subject.
“I nonetheless need it,” he mentioned. “Funnily sufficient, we had a survey at one stage speaking about ‘what do Kei automobiles appear to be in all totally different nations’, you realize, what would the urge for food be like and so forth,” he mentioned. “And so we responded again on that survey, and have heard nothing.
“However I would put my hand up for 5 fashions off the bat. Which might most likely quantity to fifteen,000 to twenty,000 gross sales a yr, incremental, I imagine. I see an enormous alternative for Kei automobiles,” he mentioned, earlier than – as different executives have – calling out the restrictions that some arguably pointless Australian Design Guidelines place on imports of a broader vary of automobiles that may very well be significantly cheaper.
“That is why we have not accomplished it sooner,” Mr Pachota mentioned.
Mitsubishi Australia just lately introduced in an eK X electrical Kei automotive for native analysis and suggestions, and the model is believed to be weighing up its introduction.
Insiders at Nissan have confirmed to GoAuto that the model would even be fascinated with bringing the associated Nissan Sakura EV, as an entry level to the model’s vary.
Full specs and pricing for the brand new Fronx vary is ready to be revealed late this yr or early in 2025.
Suzuki’s Ignis remains to be promoting in cheap numbers, with 881 items registered by means of the primary 5 months of 2024, which is down virtually 20 per cent on the earlier yr’s figures.
Extra broadly, Suzuki Australia has seen a greater begin to 2025 with a tally of 8716 items in contrast with 7159 for a similar interval final yr (a rise of 21.7 per cent).
