Iconic car brand will axe THIRTY dealerships across UK in huge cull as bosses promise ‘new era’ with launch of first EV

AN ICONIC car brand is set to axe thirty dealerships across the UK in a huge cull.

But, despite the closures, bosses at Suzuki promised a "new era" for the company this year, as it launches its first-ever EV.

The huge cutback will see the company's host of dealerships drop from 129 to around 100.

The beloved Japanese brand broke the news to affected retailers in January - with UK boss David Kateley believed to have called every dealer individually.

Most of the axed branches have been given the opportunity of remaining open as licensed repair centres, however.

This should lessen the shock slightly - although they will no longer be able to sell Suzuki models.

A spokesperson confirmed that the number of dealerships would be "reduced" - but insisted things were looking up for the company.

They said: "As Suzuki GB approaches a new era later this year with the introduction of the first electric powered model to its range as well as implementation of the ZEV mandate regulation, a representation revision of its new car dealer network size was deemed necessary for the future.

"Affected dealers were notified during January and the majority of those have been offered the option of becoming an Authorised Repairer for the brand to support Suzuki’s campaign to further
improve its customer retention and increase its vehicle parc by 25%."

Named the eVX, the upcoming EV was presented to the world at the Tokyo motor show in 2023 and will be released at some point this year.

The representative also insisted that customers had been kept in mind amid the planned restructure.

They added: "Considerable research has been undertaken to ensure that following the revision of its network size, existing and prospective customers will still be well within a reasonable travelling distance of their dealer, in many cases adding less than 10 minutes journey time.

"Since mid-2023, customer retention has improved considerably with the introduction of up to seven years / 100,000 miles warranty which, most importantly, is offered free of charge to customers at each annual service."

An exact timeline for the closures remains unclear.

Last year, Suzuki announced plans to cull four of its best-loved motors, Ignis, Jimny LCV, Swace, and the Swift Sport - as it paved the way for its first EV model.

Just before Christmas, bosses announced that the Swift Sport would be celebrated with a Final Edition model before being scrapped.

Production of the standard Swift Sport will cease this month.

It was originally launched back in 2017 with a 1.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine making 138bhp and 170 lb-ft of torque.

It had a kerb weight of just 975kg and got a new powertrain in 2020 to help the car comply with emissions rules.

The engine was the same unit as before but weakened to 127bhp and was topped up with a 48v starter-generator.

But the original high-power model stayed on sale in Japan, Suzuki's homeland.

The Final Edition can reportedly reach 62mph in 8.1 seconds and top out at 130mph.

Motorists saw further dealership closures this month, when Evans Halshaw shut six locations.

It came after the company had devastatingly axed 250 jobs.

The Sun has reached out to Suzuki for further comment.