Are Suzuki Jimny sales about to stop in Europe?

Forget Brexit, it’s all about Jexit. The brilliant Suzuki Jimny is allegedly being taken off sale in Europe because it’s too inefficient in the emissions department.

Despite being a small, low weight off-roader, the new Suzuki Jimny’s 1.5-litre four-cylinder produces a hefty 178g/km of CO2 (WLTP) when paired with the 5-speed manual and 198g/km for the 3-speed automatic.

This, according to Autocar India, has resulted in the Jimny being taken off sale in all European markets and that Suzuki dealerships been told to stop taking orders.

The report suggests the new Jimny will return in 2021, but with the rear seats removed to make it an N1 commercial vehicle. This allows it to avoid strict emissions regulations.

Car manufacturers will be facing a fleet average of 95g/km of CO2 in 2021. The Jimny’s sheer popularity and inefficiency was obviously going to make that impossible to adhere to, which would result in severe fines from the European Union.

It is unclear what will happen to the Jimny with rear seats. Suzuki could stick in the ‘mild hybrid’ lump from the Ignis crossover, which sits at 97g/km. Or go fully electric and up the price.

We have approached the manufacturer for comment on the matter. Our own source previously said that Suzuki had been deliberately throttling sales knowing it would be hit hard by the impending regulations.

With a waiting list of a year in some markets, it’s likely Jimny used values will at least remain stable. A search on AutoTrader revealed there are no used Jimnys on sale below £22,000.

In my Suzuki Jimny review, I concluded that: “Despite some rough edges in the refinement department, the Suzuki Jimny is one of the best cars in the world for putting a smile on your face and those around you.”

How on earth are manufacturers going to achieve that 95g/km average, you ask? It’s either going to be fines galore or models will quietly disappear, just like when the stricter WLTP emissions test replaced NEDC. No wonder everyone is going electric.

Update: Suzuki has officially announced that the Jimny “will remain on sale in the UK in very limited numbers throughout 2020”, citing the fact that failing to do so “would adversely affect its whole range CO2 average in Europe”.

Waiting for your own Jimny? It added: “Suzuki GB will make every effort to ensure delivery to its customers who have already placed an order.”