Maruti Suzuki commences export of India-made Jimny ahead of domestic launch
21 Jan 2021
Maruti Suzuki India Limited commenced export of Suzuki’s celebrated compact off-roader Jimny from India. The first shipment of 184 units left from Mundra port to Latin American countries such as Columbia and Peru. The iconic three-door Suzuki Jimny will be exported to Latin America, the Middle East and African markets from India.
Known as the ‘authentic off-roader’, the all-terrain vehicle has a legacy of over 50 years, catering to customers worldwide. The current generation of Jimny was launched in 2018 by Suzuki Motor Corporation in Japan and has emerged as a popular choice globally. Customers like its appeal for city driving too.
The Jimny has been a fabled nameplate for decades for Suzuki across the globe and is popular in Japan, Europe and other developed nations. Jimny was also conferred the prestigious World Urban Car Award in the 2019 World Car Awards announced at the New York International Auto Show.
The fourth generation Jimny was brought on to the scenes as a major upgrade in two decades in 2018. The demand for the latest Suzuki Jimny soared in the international markets ever since it went on sale as the production was ramped up to met the requirements.
With India as a production base for Jimny, Suzuki aims to leverage Maruti Suzuki’s global production stature. As there is a large customer demand worldwide well beyond Suzuki Japan capacity for this model, Indian manufacturing will supplement capacity to meet this global demand.
Speaking on the occasion, Kenichi Ayukawa, managing director and CEO, Maruti Suzuki India Limited, said, “Jimny will fulfill aspirations of customers throughout the world. Jimny manufactured at Maruti Suzuki’s Gurugram plant shares the same specification as the export models produced at the Suzuki Motor Corporation’s Kosai plant in Japan. We are confident with Jimny we will be able to enhance our overall exports.”
Maruti Suzuki is reported to be preparing to launch a five-door version of the Jimny for the India market, which is expected to happen in the near future.
Indians are looking for lifestyle family vehicles and the 5-door off-roader would be a better proposition for the domestic market, the company feels.
Jimny for the domestic market is expected to be powered by the 1.5-litre K15B mild-hybrid petrol motor developing 104.7 PS and 138 Nm, as the same engine can be found in a variety of Maruti Suzuki models.