Suzuki Jimny XL orders cancelled and deposits refunded

The pint-sized Suzuki Jimny 4x4 has been subject to yet another supply-inflicted stop-sale, but this time it applies to the five-door XL versions.

The situation has got so bad, dealers have been instructed to cancel pending orders and refund customer deposits since there’s no indication as to when deliveries will recommence, nor any official explanation.

“The recent [dealer] bulletin was simply an update to our customers that we still have no news on the current stop sell of the Jimny XL – no update on the investigation from Suzuki Motor Corporation and/or the timeline,” Suzuki Australia general manager Michael Pachota said in a statement.

“Considering the uncertainty surrounding the timeframe for resolution and based on our experience of similar matters in the past, we recommend the dealers cancel existing Jimny XL orders and return customer deposits where appropriate.

“I believe this is the most transparent and customer-centric course of action at this time and the best thing to do for our customers that are waiting on delivery of their new Jimny XL.”

Unlike the Japanese-built three-doors, the Jimny XL is sourced exclusively from India – as per the just-launched Fronx – with the investigation referenced by Pachota reportedly looking into a quality control issue.

Further details of the situation are scarce at the time of writing, but it’s worth noting no vehicles have been recalled or taken off the road (yet).

“Customers can choose to wait, and we’ll communicate with them regularly through direct updates and coordinated communication efforts ensuring they are informed as we await a resolution and we can get them into their new Jimny XL’s as soon as possible,” Pachota said.

Before the stop-sale was announced on July 25, the average wait time on a new Jimny XL was anywhere between a day and two months depending on the chosen transmission and colour.

According to Suzuki, manuals were available for “immediate delivery” while automatics would take “one to two months, subject to colour”.

The brand has sold 4921 new Jimnys so far this year ending July, enough to make the compact 4x4 its best-selling model more than twice over.

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