Suzuki’s chief engineer has explained why the Japanese brand will likely NOT build a Jimny bakkie, despite the company having revealed a concept as far back as 2019…
- Long-rumoured Suzuki Jimny bakkie not on the cards
- Chief engineer says there’s “not really much demand”
- Ladder-frame chassis would need significant upgrades
If you’re waiting patiently for Suzuki to roll out a Jimny bakkie, we have some bad news for you: the Japanese company’s highest-ranked engineer has suggested such a model is NOT on the cards.
Yes, Suzuki Motor Corporation Chief Engineer Takamitsu Sasaki told Drive that there are currently no plans to offer a bakkie based on the popular 4th-generation SUV.
“There is not really much demand,” Sasaki-san told the Australian publication. In contrast, Suzuki Australia’s general manager, Michael Pachota, said earlier in 2025 he believed there was “a huge market” for such a model, particularly Down Under.
Sasaki-san went on to suggest the Jimny’s standard ladder-frame chassis would have to be significantly upgraded to allow a bakkie version to offer any meaningful sort of load-carrying capacity.
“If we were to make a Jimny truck, we would have to make it very durable, and that is very difficult. To put a lot of weight on the backside, we need to make the frame stronger,” the chief engineer explained.
In addition, Sasaki-san confirmed Suzuki had no intention of offering the Jimny with a more powerful engine. As a reminder, the SA-spec version of the little SUV – in both 3- and 5-door guise – is powered by the brand’s ubiquitous 75 kW/130 Nm naturally aspirated 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder petrol engine.
“We are not considering a bigger [engine] model because this model is very particular with the body and the engine. It’s a balance; it’s the ‘just-right’ size, so we’re not considering a bigger engine,” he told Drive.
The reveal of the Jimny Sierra Pick Up Style concept at the Tokyo Auto Salon show way back in January 2019 sparked talk of a production model. While Suzuki Australia’s general manager seemingly still has his “fingers crossed“, these latest comments from Sasaki-san suggest a Jimny bakkie is no closer to production…
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Why is Suzuki likely not building a production Jimny bakkie?
A: Suzuki’s Chief Engineer, Takamitsu Sasaki, explained that there is “not really much demand” for such a model. He also noted that the standard Jimny ladder-frame chassis would require significant and difficult strengthening to handle meaningful load-carrying capacity.
Q: Did Suzuki ever showcase a Jimny bakkie concept?
A: Yes, Suzuki revealed the Jimny Sierra Pick Up Style concept at the Tokyo Auto Salon show back in January 2019, which sparked the initial speculation about a production model.
Q: Is Suzuki planning to offer a Jimny with a more powerful engine?
A: No, Chief Engineer Sasaki-san confirmed that the company is not considering a bigger engine. He stated that the current 75 kW/130 Nm naturally aspirated 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder petrol engine provides the ideal “balance” and “just-right” size for the Jimny.
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