In developing countries this maxim is sometimes fulfilled: it does not matter how old it is if it is still in demand, it is legal to continue selling it, and it is not expensive to manufacture. That is what has happened with the third generation Suzuki Jimny.
The Suzuki Jimny has been discontinued again, but it is the third generation. It had been in production in Brazil for years, and it is the only place where they did it since 2018. In that year, the production of the Jimny Sierra began in Japan, but in Brazil was still in demand.
The third generation of the Jimny was presented at the Tokyo Motor Show in 1997, almost 25 years ago, as an evolution of the concept of its predecessors. It kept the frame rails and crossmembers, as well as the transfer case with reduction gear. It arrived in Europe at the 1998 Paris Motor Show.
During these years the Jimny has been sold in multiple markets, including the Japanese domestic market with cut dimensions and displacement to fit as kei car. It has also been manufactured in several countries, including ours, until shortly before the end of Santana Motor.
In the Spanish market, the Jimny was available with a 1.3-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine, as well as the 1.5 K9K diesel of Renault origin. The tankers gave 65 hp at first, but with the arrival of the Euro 4 standard they increased the power to 87 hp. Spanish production ended in 2009.
In addition to Japanese and Spanish manufacturing, the Jimny was produced in two Latin American countries, Colombia and Brazil, in both cases through partnerships with other manufacturers, General Motors and Mitsubishi, respectively. Also, it was known in some countries as Chevrolet Jimny, Mazda AZ-Offroad and Yomper 225.
At a stylistic level, it has been the least conventional Jimny, due to its rounded and smooth shapes, moving away from the straight and angular shapes of its predecessors. In addition to being a trend in the 90s, the curved, they wanted it to have a more urban image, although it remained a true 4×4. The return to the angular design and retro touches are one of the reasons for the success of the current model.
2013 restyling
In the Brazilian market it has been possible to maintain it until the new emissions regulations make it not worth continuing to manufacture. The M13A gasoline engine, which is already old, is not as evolved as the modern K15B that its successor mounts.
In addition, it needs some electronic updates for a hypothetical update. On the other hand, the volume of sales no longer justifies it. In the first half of this year, 833 units were sold, a decrease of 22.3% compared to January-June last year. It’s clearly not worth it.
The Suzuki Jimny (JB) has been manufactured in Brazil for 24 years. At the time, in 1998, the start-up of local production had the support of the Brazilian Government and the HPE Automotive Group. Production took place in Anápolis and the last units were manufactured in Catalao. There are no more, so there are only units in stock.
Suzuki Jimny Forest
The outgoing model is for sale, until the remaining units are sold out, starting at 111,990 reais (21,360 euros to change) in the finish 4Work. At a slightly higher price you can buy the Jimny 4All, with off-road tires, for 115,990 reais (22,120 euros). The most capricious have two other options.
One of them is the JimnySport, from 125,990 reais (24,030 euros) with special upholstery and a notable increase in the protections for the bodywork, in addition to a snorkel air intake. The bottom is the Jimny Forestwhich goes to 137,990 reais (26,316 euros) with more visual details, a large roof rack or steering damper.
One of its main selling points was that It is the cheapest 4×4 in Brazil, given the large price difference with its replacement, the Jimny Sierra, because they have been on the market at the same time. The basic version Jimny Sierra 4You MT starts at 156,990 reais, almost 30,000 round euros in exchange.