Electrifying the Suzuki Jimny would ruin the 4x4 SUV, says company president

Suzuki's president, Toshihiro Suzuki, has said that electrifying the Jimny would ruin the 4x4 SUV.

Speaking to Autocar, Suzuki said that the Jimny's "core values" are its "light weight" and "compact size", and that these would be compromised by electrification.

"The Jimny is a very capable off-roader, and electrification would add weight and complexity, which would compromise its off-road performance," he said.

Suzuki is committed to reducing its environmental impact, but Suzuki said that the Jimny will remain a combustion-engined vehicle for the foreseeable future.

"We are committed to reducing our environmental impact, but we believe that the Jimny is best suited to a combustion engine," he said.

"We will continue to develop and improve the Jimny's combustion engine, and we will also explore other ways to reduce its environmental impact, such as by using biofuels."

Suzuki's comments come as a number of other automakers are electrifying their SUV lineups. However, Suzuki is not the only automaker to resist the trend towards electrification.

Jeep has also said that it will not electrify the Wrangler, and Land Rover has said that it will only electrify the Range Rover and Range Rover Sport.

These automakers believe that their SUVs are best suited to combustion engines, and that electrification would compromise their off-road performance.