Suzuki cars suspend rapid production amid China's rare earth export constraints - Report | Mint

Suzuki Motor’s suspension of the production of its flagship Swift Subcompact is due to the rare nature restrictions of China, two people familiar with the matter, and became the first Japanese car manufacturer affected by the export tires. The small car manufacturer stopped the production of the Swift, excluding the Swift Sport version, from May 26 with reference to a lack of components. The plans to resume production have been pushed back several times. Suzuki now expects a partial re -start from production on June 13 with full resumption after June 16, as the ‘prospect of parts offer is now clearer’, it says in a statement. The company declined to comment on the reason for the suspension. The sources refused to be identified because they were not authorized to talk about the matter. China’s decision in April to suspend the export of a wide range of rare earths and related magnets has increased the supply chains that are central to car manufacturers, airline manufacturers, semiconductor companies and military contractors. Alarm of the situation has grown with global car manufacturers warned about possible production. Some European auto parts have suspended production and Mercedes-Benz is considering ways to protect against rare earth shortages. Japan is planning to reinforce collaboration with the United States to rare global supply chains in the upcoming tariff talks, the Nikkei Business Daily reported on Thursday. The Nikkei was the first to report on the reason for the Swift model suspension.