New engine accessories
For this back-to-school 2021, the Japanese engine manufacturer Suzuki did not present a new outboard engine. The announcements focused on its range of accessories. The engine manufacturer unveiled its new control boxes, which can drive up to 6 engines, to adapt to the demand of the markets, mainly American. The new version of the keyless start system, allows Suzuki to redesign its main control panels, more sober, with a single start/stop button. Finally, the SMG4 multi-function gauges are now available in 14 languages and can control an automatic trim system for simplified trim management (the parameters, deliberately restricted, do not depend on the boat models).
At the same time, Suzuki has announced that the plastic micro-waste collection system will be standard on its engines from July 2022.
Reflections on electric and marine engine emissions
The interview was also an opportunity for Guillaume Vuillardot, who is in charge of Suzuki Marine's activities in France, to explain in a very transparent way the manufacturer's positions on the evolution of marine propulsion. "Suzuki is now working seriously on the electric motor. From my point of view, the solution in 20 to 30 years is hydrogen. In the meantime, electrics have a role to play. In the long term, I think it will represent 20 to 30% of the market. On the other hand, there is still room for improvement on the thermal outboard engine in terms of emissions." He also concedes that while current engines could accommodate more efficient anti-pollution systems, in the absence of regulatory constraints, their price would not make them competitive in the market.
Delays in delivering outboard engines to dealerships
Like the industry as a whole, Suzuki is facing difficulties in delivering its boat engines. "It's very complex. We went from a stock policy that allowed us to deliver an engine in 15 days / 3 weeks to the yard to a 6-month lead time. To be transparent, we have 1,800 customer orders out of 4,500 that we can't meet. We are short 35 to 40% of our production capacity," explains Guillaume Vuillardot. However, the engine manufacturer does not believe it is reasonable to invest heavily in its factories. "We see a slowdown in the next 18 months," he concludes.
