Suzuki Motor Corp. unveiled its first electric vehicle under its strategy to finally compete in the EV market.
The minivehicle maker intends to introduce six electric models in Japan by the business year ending in March 2031.
Called e Vitara, the sports utility model is smaller than electric SUVs released by other companies.
The lineup will include a four-wheel drive model for off-road use that can travel up to 520 kilometers on a single charge.
The EV will sell in Japan for between 3.99 million yen ($27,100) and 4.93 million yen, including tax.
The car is eligible for a government subsidy of 870,000 yen.
Suzuki decided to start EV production with an SUV because “it is a model that customers will buy even though it is pricey,” according to the president, Toshihiro Suzuki.
The new EV is already selling in Europe and will be released in Japan on Jan. 16, 2026.
It is manufactured in India for export to Japan and elsewhere.
“We will take time and understand what customers want and keep offering EVs they want to buy. We won’t resort to unconventional tactics,” Suzuki said at a Sept. 16 news conference.
Referring to fierce price competition in China’s EV market, Suzuki admitted the company was unable to keep up.
But he pledged to “try to make customers understand the charms of EVs and sell them at fair prices.”
But if that doesn’t work, “we will have no choice but to pull out of the market,” he said.
