TWO historically important models are being plucked from Suzuki New Zealand’s line-up here as it also prepares to add a crossover out of India.

The Whanganui-based brand is reluctant to yet discuss the imminent departure of the pint-sized Ignis baby hatchback (top), its most affordable car, and the Vitara (directly above), which has traditionally been its highest-profile off-road model.

“We are holding a dealer meeting late this month followed by a press meeting early in July,” said Gary Collins, chief executive and executive general manager of the automobile division.

“These are amongst the topics we will be covering at these meetings.”

Context around the Ignis and Vitara - including the reason they're being phased out and what’s coming next - has yet to fully reveal.

Both have been in issue for considerable periods. Vitara already had 10 years under its belt when updated two years ago with a 1.4-litre hybrid powertrain. Ignis has been here since 2017.

Spanning four derivatives, Ignis has proven a handy choice as Suzuki’s cheapest car here. Currently it registers from $22,200 in five speed manual and tops at $26,500 for a LTD automatic.

The baby’s run might have shortened regionally as it was recently dropped from Australia, a victim of a new regulation demanding autonomous emergency braking, a feature it does not have. 

Designed to slam on the brakes to prevent rear-end or pedestrian collisions if the driver is inattentive, AEB became compulsory in Australia for all new passenger vehicles sold locally from March. New Zealand Transport Authority is still exploring whether to mandate AEB here.