Suzuki looking to keep Jimny 4x4 as ICE only?

Suzuki has recently launched its first battery electric vehicle with the eVitara, making good on its promise to deliver its first EV in 2024.

While that’s one step forward for Suzuki’s entry into the EV segment, it appears that they might be stepping back at making a fully electric version of one of their most popular models.

The vehicle we’re talking about is the Jimny. Last year, the pint-sized off-roader was included in Suzuki’s EV roadmap, where they plan to introduce at least five EV models in Europe by 2030. However, based on the latest comments from Suzuki president Toshihiro Suzuki, the Japanese small car specialist is highly likely to be backtracking on the idea of the Jimny EV.

“If you talk about the Jimny EV, I think it would ruin the best part of the Jimny. I think the core strength of the Jimny is its light weight.” said Suzuki in an interview with Autocar UK.

In Europe, the passenger version of the gas-powered Jimny was pulled out from sale in 2020 as it did not meet strict emissions regulations. The only Jimny that continues to go on sale in the UK and Europe is the two-seater LCV version as those markets offer emissions concessions for commercial vehicles.

Suzuki is also looking to put its other future EVs on hold due to the current market situation in Europe. Among the factors include the sales of BEVs slowing down, government incentives, going out, and Chinese EV brands that continue to introduce affordable and cheap models on the market. This makes Suzuki rethink what type of BEVs should be introduced and how to time it right.

With that said, Suzuki is likely to soldier on with the gas-powered Jimny in markets that push for carbon neutrality but remain heavily dependent on combustion-engined cars, just like ours.