News Release

Environmentally Friendly Suzuki is Number One in New Zealand

01 September 2009
Suzuki is the most environmentally friendly brand of mainstream cars sold in New Zealand with the lowest average level of emissions. 

The brand achieved an average CO2 emissions of 172 grams this year, which are the lowest levels amongst the top 12 selling markets in New Zealand. 

This compared with 181 grams/kilometre for Honda and Volkswagen, 187 grams/km for Hyundai, 188 grams/km for Kia and 200 grams/km for the sixth ranking Toyota. 

Suzuki’s average CO2 emissions level was 38 per cent lower than the twelfth placed Holden brand. 

In 2008 Suzuki’s new car range was already one of the cleanest, most fuel-efficient vehicle fleets in the world, and in 2009 further improvements have been made. 

These include a 13 per cent reduction in CO2 emissions on some Suzuki Grand Vitara four-wheel-drive models sold in New Zealand.

With the arrival of the all-new Alto in October Suzuki will launch its most fuel efficient, low emission car ever. 

When the new Alto arrives its CO2 emissions will be 44 per cent lower than the current industry average. 

Several Suzuki models have gained Super Ultra low emissions or EURO 4-star certification, and in the past three years have improved by 75 per cent. 

“In this time of unprecedented focus on our environmental footprint, it is a significant achievement that Suzuki continues to average the lowest CO2 emissions of any mainstream car brand,” said Gary Collins, Automobile Sales Manager for Suzuki New Zealand Ltd. 

“This gives us a great platform to introduce even more fuel efficient models and is another reason why Suzuki is one of the highest growth car marques in New Zealand,” he said.

Suzuki continues to lower the CO2 emissions of its vehicles and is working on several new environmental initiatives.

These include the development of engine automatic stop/start systems and the application of intake and exhaust variable valve timing mechanisms for small vehicles. 

Suzuki are already offering vehicles that run on bioethanol (E10) and biodiesel (B5), while in India the company is further developing cars to run on compressed natural gas (CNG) - ironically a fuel much favoured in New Zealand during the late 1970s and early 1980s. 

Suzuki is part of the Japan Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Demonstration project to improve the durability and range of fuel-cell electric vehicles, and is working on flexi-fuel cars in Brazil. 

Given the difficult economic circumstances, Suzuki believes offering eco-friendly cars at the most affordable prices is vital for reducing CO2 emissions and fuel consumption.

At the same time the manufacturer is continuing to develop fuel cell and other next-generation power units. 

“Suzuki is focusing on ways to maximise the environmental benefits of fully proven technologies,” said Gary Collins.

Upcoming models equal petrol/electric hybrid fuel economy at much lower cost and make better use of recyclable materials.

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