Suzuki slammed on stability
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I The Consumers' Lssociation has called on luzuki to suspend UK sales of Ls popular 4x4 vehicles after onducting safety tests on the iJ413 and SJ410 models, which re also available as :ommercial vehicles.
Suzuki GB has refuted the handling allegations, and has lismissed the Consumers' kssociation's tests as unrealistic. . . unreliable, and iotentially misleading".
The safety tests were :onducted seven weeks ago der reports that similar nodels had been involved in oil-over accidents in the Jnited States that have killed a .otal of 16 people.
The SJ413, which is sold as he Samurai in the US, has ilready been branded as lefective by the Consumers' :Jnion — the American Nuivalent of the UK Consumers' Association.
The UK tests show that the igh centre of gravity and short wheelbase of the light-weight 3uzuki make it "liable to roll 3ver when cornered sharply, is in an accident-avoidance manoeuvre", says John Beishon, chief executive of the Consumers' Association. Suzuki admits that the vehicle can be made to show wheel lift characteristics, particularly after the fitting of special outriggers to prevent roll-over in the tests. The company has conducted its own tests with and without the Consumers' Association. These, it claims, "show that previously stated allegations are unfounded".
The manufacturer has stressed the need for driverawareness training with all high centre of gravity, shortwheelbase vehicles, and is talking to the Department of Transport and the Consumers' Association in an attempt to educate drivers.
It adds, however, that any recommendations coming from the DTp will be complied with, including the mandatory fitting of the now-optional roll-over bars to the vehicles.
The DTp has now launched an investigation into the safety of these Suzuki models. It claims that there is only one record of a UK roll-over accident similar to those in the US, although the Consumers' Association has apparently sent details of nine other accidents to the Department.
"There is little evidence to show that SJs are any more at risk in real-life conditions than other vehicles in this country", says the DTp, which is expecting the test results in about three weeks.
The Suzuki Si series has now been on sale in the UK for over 10 years, and the commercial derivatives of the SJ413 and SJ410 models hold around 12.7% of the commercial light 4x4 market, with sales of around 1,900 vehicles a year. Although commercial operators have found the Suzuki's light weight and off-road manoeuvrability to be particularly useful, the vehicle's main market has been to the growing 4x4 leisure sector where over 10,000 units have been sold.