The Hard-to-Get Suzuki Jimny Nomade Is Becoming Slightly Easier to Buy in Japan

Suzuki resumed sales of the Jimny Nomade, the five-door version of its popular off-roader, earlier this year after a suspension that lasted nearly 12 months. Just as before, demand immediately outpaced supply, turning the rugged SUV into one of Japan's hottest automotive commodities.

When the Jimny Nomade returned to the market in late January, order books quickly filled up and waiting lists stretched out once again. However, Suzuki appears to be making progress in addressing the shortage.

According to several Japanese media reports, some Suzuki dealerships are now telling customers they can expect delivery within about four months. That's a significant improvement over earlier estimates, which ranged from roughly one year to even longer depending on the dealer and region.

The Jimny Nomade is built at Maruti Suzuki's manufacturing facility in India and exported to Japan. To keep up with demand, the plant has reportedly been increasing production capacity, including the addition of extra shifts on the assembly line.

Ironically, the five-door Jimny isn't nearly as popular in India as it is in Japan. In its home market, the model trails well behind local best-sellers, including Mahindra's popular SUVs.

What's even more surprising is that buyers in Japan are still facing long waits for the traditional three-door Jimny. Despite being produced in Japan as well, the classic short-wheelbase version remains in short supply due to strong demand and limited production volumes.

Earlier reports suggested customer deliveries of the Jimny Nomade would not begin until July. Pricing for the five-door SUV in Japan starts at approximately $20,300 when converted from the local market price of 2.926 million yen.

For now, the Jimny Nomade remains a difficult vehicle to get your hands on, but the situation appears to be improving as Suzuki steadily increases output.