Suzuki Celerio back on track
Pint-size Alto replacement fit for sale from March following brake failure fixSuzuki Australia has announced its new Celerio micro-car will be available for customer delivery from next month, following a fix for the brake problem that emerged in the UK on the eve of its local launch early this month.
In a statement to be issued on Monday, Suzuki Australia says: "Suzuki Australia Pty Ltd is pleased to announce that Suzuki’s All New Celerio will be available for sale at the beginning of March.
"Recent issues discovered in press tests in the UK have now been rectified in all affected markets including Australia, and cars will be available for test drives at Suzuki Dealers next week."
Sales of the Japanese brand's Alto replacement were suspended in the UK on February 2 after two examples suffered total brake failures during performance testing by Autocar, and Suzuki also advised all owners to stop driving their car until a remedy was found.
Suzuki Australia said all 100 vehicles in the first batch of Celerios to arrive here would be grounded until a fix was found, but days later announced full local pricing and specifications including a $12,990 drive-way starting price and a four-star ANCAP safety rating.
On February 10, Suzuki said it had identified the Celerio's brake problem — which affected all right-hand drive vehicles in the UK, Ireland, New Zealand and Australia, but not cars in India and Thailand, where it is built – and that a rectification was on the way in “coming weeks”.
Suzuki Australia General Manager Andrew Moore confirmed to motoring.com.au that there was a problem with the car's brake pedal release mechanism -- or 'breakaway' function, which is fitted in vehicles to reduce leg injuries in the event of a collision – and that replacement brake components would be fitted.
"The all new Celerio is the culmination of Suzuki engineers small car know how and represents outstanding value with automatic transmission Celerio from just $13,990 Drive Away. It is the first in a wave of new models set to spark a new era of growth for Suzuki," he said in a statement.
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