Suzuki has recently announced a temporary halt to the production of its Swift hatchback model in Japan due to disruptions in rare earth supplies caused by export restrictions from China.
This is the first time a Japanese car manufacturer has been directly impacted by Beijing’s strategic mineral control policy, which may affect the launch of the 2025 Suzuki Swift in Vietnam.
According to Nikkei Asia and Reuters, Suzuki temporarily halted production of the Swift (excluding the Sport variant) at its Sagara plant in Shizuoka, Japan, starting May 26. While the Japanese automaker later announced it would resume operations from June 13 and fully restore the production line by June 16, the specific reason for the initial halt was not disclosed, aside from a “parts shortage.”
However, international sources indicate that the underlying cause stems from the Chinese government’s move to impose export restrictions on seven types of rare earth minerals from April 2025. This is a retaliatory measure against US tariff hikes and has started to impact global supply chains, particularly in the automotive and electronics industries. Suzuki is the first Japanese carmaker to be directly affected by this control.
In Vietnam, the Suzuki Swift used to be one of the favored hatchback models in the B-segment due to its compact design and fuel efficiency. However, the car has been absent from the market for several months, amid speculations that the company is discontinuing the current generation to prepare for the next one.
In June 2025, Suzuki Vietnam teased the return of the Swift on its official fanpage, with a status reading: “The next iconic generation of Suzuki is gradually being unveiled.” The image of the car, shrouded in darkness, revealing only the LED headlights and distinctive logo, led many fans to believe that this was indeed the new Swift.
Information from several dealerships in Hanoi confirms that the 2025 Swift will be launched in mid-June and deliveries will commence in July. Notably, the new version will feature a single configuration, employing a hybrid powertrain, and will be directly imported from Japan.
However, given the production disruptions in Japan, it is likely that the supply for the Vietnamese market will be affected. If the restoration of production takes longer than planned, consumers may have to wait longer, especially during the initial sales phase.
The story of the Suzuki Swift clearly illustrates the challenges faced by automakers in an increasingly complex geopolitical landscape. With China controlling over 80% of the global rare earth supply chain – a vital material for electric motors, permanent magnets, and hybrid batteries – the automotive industry is becoming increasingly “vulnerable” to policy changes.
The disruption in parts supply from China is causing a ripple effect, not just in the US and Europe but also among Asian manufacturers. Even for a popular model like the Swift, the shortage of rare earth minerals can bring the entire production line to a halt.
Moreover, this event raises significant questions about the stability of global supply chains, especially for automakers heavily reliant on imports from China, a challenge not unique to Suzuki but faced by many other brands as well.
TH (Tuoitrethudo)
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