ICONIC CHARACTER

said Suzuki Philippines director and automobile division general manager Keiichi Suzuki in an exclusive interview with BusinessWorld. “Suzuki does not want to change a lot in terms of the concept of the car, so we maintained

But again, the company wanted to stay true to the iconic character of the Jimny. “We wanted to maintain the concept — the size, the looks — even as we improved other things like the beauty, driving performance, and comfort,” continued Mr. Suzuki.

The multimedia audio unit banners a nine-inch capacitive touch screen with legible and large icons, as well as soft buttons for easy control. An offline GPS navigation system and off-road audio guide complete the suite of functions. The new Jimny swallows 53 more liters of cargo than the outgoing model, and small items can be stowed in a removable luggage box.

When asked how the Jimny ranges against its price-point competitors, the executive replied; “From a Suzuki point of view… we think that we have no direct competitors, but in terms of off-road vehicles, our unique point is the compact size of the car, and its affordability.”

He offered insight into the target demographic for the badge. “In the past, it was focused on professionals — not so young,” revealed Mr. Suzuki. “Now, because of the features and the beautiful design, the car is going to be more attractive not only for professionals but also the younger generation, and even ladies. The profile is getting more varied.”

The new Jimny All-Grip Pro comes in the following variants and prices: GL M/T (P975,000), GL A/T (P1.035 million), GLX A/T Monotone (P1.085 million), and GLX A/T Two Tone (P1.095 million).