Suzuki Motor halted Swift production due to China’s rare earth curbs, sources say

TOKYO, June 5 (Reuters): Suzuki Motor (7269.T) had suspended production of its Swift car due to China’s rare earth restrictions, two sources familiar with the matter said, becoming the first Japanese automaker to be affected by the export curbs.

It had announced the planned production stoppage of the Swift subcompact, excluding the Swift Sport model, from May 26 through June 6, citing a shortage of components.

It did not elaborate beyond that and a spokesperson said the company had no comment on the reason for the suspension, which was first reported by the Nikkei business daily.

Suzuki would partially restart production of the Swift cars at its Sagara plant on June 13, resuming fully after June 16, as the “prospect of parts supply is clearer” now, it said in a later statement on Thursday.

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China’s decision in April to suspend exports of a wide range of rare earths and related magnets has upended the supply chains central to automakers, aerospace manufacturers, semiconductor companies and military contractors around the world.

Some European auto parts plants have also suspended output and Mercedes-Benz (MBGn.DE) is considering ways to protect against shortages of rare earths.