Suzuki urges CCS review
Suzuki New Zealand’s chief executive officer is calling on the government to review settings for the clean car standard (CCS) to stop “affordable small cars” being unfairly penalised by the scheme.
Gary Collins spoke of his concerns about the current regulations at the company’s recent launch of the all-new Fronx.
The CCS uses a weight adjustment to calculate targets for imported light vehicles, but there are industry concerns these incentivise heavier models, such as utes, and penalise lighter, fuel-efficient cars.
Penalties for importers can be countered by bringing in fully electric vehicles, which earn credits, but Suzuki NZ won’t have any of those in its line-up until next year, reports Stuff.
Collins, pictured, says the weight factor for calculating CCS fines “needs to be reviewed”.
He adds changes introduced by the government to align emissions targets with Australia brought some relief to the company but those goals are set to sharply increase by 2028, which will keep pressure on brands to electrify their fleet.
He notes the 1.2-litre powered Suzuki Ignis crossover will incur a $1,404 penalty under the CCS this year but the brand’s New Zealand arm has been lobbying for changes that would drop this to $432, reports Stuff.
If its campaign is successful, this would also benefit other brands selling similar small, lightweight cars.
Collins says consumers need to continue to have access to affordable new vehicles because if they hold onto older and less economical cars this will stall efforts to reduce emissions.
Electric model
Suzuki NZ has also announced the marque’s fully electric e-Vitara is expected to arrive in New Zealand in the first quarter next year. It will replace the current Vitara, making it the first model in its line-up to go completely electric.
The company will offer the Vitara hybrid until the e-Vitara lands, at which point the model will become plug-in only.
Meanwhile, the Suzuki Ignis is being dropped in parts of Europe and Australia but is set to remain in the New Zealand market “well into 2026”.
