Report - Suzuki plans to produce Hustler and new Jimny next year
Enthusiast website Suzuki Fan is making a bunch of claims on the roadmap for Japanese Suzuki models. While some information has been credited to Holiday Auto magazine, there is no attribution to the other launches and timelines in the story.
The report starts by putting a December 2013 launch date for the Suzuki Hustler Concept which was shown two weeks ago at the Tokyo Motor Show. The 'kei' SUV would have all wheel drive and a fuel economy of 30 kpl. Suzuki Fan says the company's sales target is 5,000 units a month in Japan.
In early 2014 Suzuki will launch the new generation Jimny based on the ladder frame platform displayed at the bygone Tokyo Motor Show.
Following the Jimny, Suzuki would be ready with the production Hustler Coupe somewhere in mid to late 2014.
In the last quarter of 2014, Suzuki would launch a new Alto hatchback. The website is expecting the new model's fuel economy to touch 37 kmpl (JC08 test). The next generation of the global Alto (A-Star to India) is also due next year, and the Japanese model (going by the current arrangement) would ride on its platform, but get a different body.
The new Suzuki Cappuccino convertible (speculated to be a joint development with Caterham), the Alto Lapin (another JDM Alto derivative) and the Suzuki MR Wagon (JDM Wagon R) would arrive in 2014, 2015 and 2016 respectively.
We're not vouching for any of the claims made by Suzuki Fan, but would nonetheless keep a close eye on the developments of the Japanese auto market to see if these launches unfold.