Suzuki Jimny 5-Door Sales Suspended In Japan Due To Overwhelming Demand

Badged as the Jimny Nomade in Japan, the Suzuki Jimny 5-Door model has received overwhelming response in its Japanese home market.

Though revealed globally some two years ago, the Suzuki Jimny 5-Door has only just made its way into the S-brand’s home market of Japan late last week. However, it seems Suzuki underestimated just how popular it was going be amongst Japanese buyers.

In fact, the Hamamatsu-rooted marque was forced to ‘suspend’ order-taking for the Suzuki Jimny Nomade – the name which the model is marketed as in Japan – after just four days. During which time, the firm collected no less than 50,000 bookings, creating a three-and-a-half year backlog!

In light of the overwhelming demand and subsequent suspension of orders, Suzuki issued the following statement via its official website:

Ultimately, it doesn’t take much to understand and grasp how and why Suzuki ended up in this situation.

First, the Jimny 5-Door is only built at the S-brand’s plant in Gurugram, India before it is exported overseas. In contrast, the base Jimny 3-Door model is produced at both the marque’s India plant mentioned, as well as its Shizuoka plant in Japan.

Secondly, Suzuki had initially estimated to shift the Jimny Nomade (5-Door) in Japan at a rate of just 1,200 units monthly. Obviously, the overwhelming flood of requests far exceeds the automaker’s ability to keep up with production.

Thirdly, it’s easy to grasp what fuels this demand for the Jimny Nomade amongst Japanese buyers. Evidently, the longer wheelbase and extra doors make Suzuki’s small off-roader more practical functional for the daily without sacrificing its iconic rugged stance and character.

Launched locally in July last year, the Jimny 5-Door sits 3,822 MM long with a 2,590 MM wheelbase - some 342 MM and 340 MM longer respectively over its 3-Door twin.

As a refresher, the Suzuki Jimny 5-Door launched locally in July last year measures 3,822 MM long with a 2,590 MM wheelbase, marking 342 MM and 340 MM extensions respectively over its 3-Door guise. Shared across both are their 1,645 MM width, 1,720 MM height and 210 MM ground clearance.

Besides suspending order-taking, the overwhelming demand has also prompted Suzuki to cancel a string of planned exhibition events for the Jimny 5-Door in Japan. Instead, the firm is reportedly set to focus on fulfilling current orders as quickly as possible.

Regarding the latter, it appears Suzuki will have a tough time on their hands as first deliveries were slated to begin as early as April this year. For now, Suzuki has not set a timeline yet as to when it will start accepting new reservations for the Jimny 5-Door model in Japan.