Suzuki suspends production of the Swift due to a shortage of rare earth metals.

Suzuki Motor has suspended production of the Swift due to restrictions on rare earth exports from China, becoming the first Japanese automaker to be affected by the raw material shortage.

The company announced the planned halt in Swift production from May 26 to June 6, while keeping the Swift Sport on the production line.

According to the Japanese “Nikkei”, Suzuki will partially resume Swift production at the Sagara factory on June 13, fully resuming after June 16, as the “prospect of parts supply is clearer” now, the company said in a statement this Thursday.

It is worth noting that China decided in April to suspend exports of a wide range of rare earths and magnetic minerals, disrupting the supply chains essential for the automotive sector.