Suzuki ceases Spain-based bike production

SUZUKI MOTOR ESPANA (SME), has announced that they plan to terminate all of their Spain-based motorcycle production activities by the end of the first quarter of 2013.

According to the press release, the decision was made 'due to accumulated losses created by the reduction and general condition of the economy in Europe at present.' 

UK models that will be affected by this decision include - Burgman 125, 200 and GZ125. Suzuki are keen to emphasize that owners of these models can remain confident that parts supply, warranty and general aftercare of these models will continue to be available through Suzuki's UK dealer network. 

There is no further information avaliable on which manufacturing plant will take over the production of these models, however Suzuki has suggested that some alternative models built at Suzuki's Asian country production plants will be now considered for the European market.

Earlier in the week we reported that American Suzuki is bankrupt and will discontinue car sales, and last week that sales of larger Suzuki bikes in the UK are down 24 percent on the previous year. Combined with this latest news, could there be cause for concern?

Suzuki want to reinforce, however, that the vast majority of bikes currently manufactured in Spain are smaller capacity, and according to Suzuki, the UK market should not be affected significantly by this announcement.