While keen car buyers are awaiting the launch of the Maruti Suzuki Jimny in India, the automaker has revealed that it is currently evaluating the feasibility of introducing the compact off-roader here.
Executive Director (Marketing and Sales), Maruti Suzuki India, Shashank Srivastava stated the above, adding that the firm is currently studying various aspects of the marketing as to when (or if at all) it can launch the vehicle in the country.
Srivastava also admitted that when the Jimny was shown at the Auto Expo held last year, it got “some really nice response”.
At present, the country’s top carmaker is exporting the India-made 3-door Jimny to Africa, the Middle East and Latin America, as its Japanese facility could not cope with the demand.
However, the export number is not huge, according to Executive Vice-President (Corporate and Government Affairs), Maruti Suzuki India, Rahul Bharti who said, in terms of volume percentages, it is not very high as of now.
Interestingly, Maruti is not exporting the Jimny to Europe as the union has a lot of regulations. Bharti noted that almost every export to Europe keeps stopping about every 4 or 5 years because of new non-tariff barriers or new regulations.
This new admission from Maruti has laid to rest many speculations, as earlier reports suggested that the firm was looking to only launch the 5-door Jimny, that will be produced only in India, in the domestic market.
Now it is clear that when the Maruti Suzuki Jimny India launch takes place, it will be that of the 3-door version initially, while the 5-door Jimny may join it a few years down the line.
Source – PTINews.com