Suzuki responds to China’s Jimny copycat

The Suzuki Jimny has been a smash hit globally, flying out of showrooms despite its old-school tech and barebones underpinnings.  

So why hasn’t anyone seriously challenged it before now? 

Enter iCar, or iCaur, as it’ll be known outside China thanks to a legal scuffle with Apple – which, ironically, gave up on building its own iCar.

The doppelgänger is expected to hit Australia in 2026, backed by Chinese parent company Chery, aiming squarely at the Jimny’s slice of the compact SUV pie, with rugged looks and big ambitions, not to mention hybrid and EV powertrains. 

But Suzuki Australia boss Michael Pachota is unconcerned. 

“Seems to be a theme over there,” he said of China’s copycat car designs. 

And while Chinese brands are growing fast – the Chery Tiggo 4 Pro even cracked the top 10 in July – Pachota reckons the Jimny’s momentum is unstoppable. 

“People said the same thing about the Tank 300. There’s no impact. We still keep growing in sales and we make Jimny for the people,” he said. 

“At the moment, Jimmy still sits at that point where there is zero dollars spent on advertising.  

“So, you know, if someone wants to make a move, all right, I might spend some [advertising] money, but I don’t think I have to.” 

On the iCar V23’s uncanny resemblance to Suzuki’s cult favourite, Pachota was diplomatic. 

“People will buy it, I’m sure. It's good-looking truck,” he said. 

“But as I said, whether it impacts [sales] or not is up to the Australian consumer and whether or not they feel that’s a challenger for the Jimmy. But at the moment, really, there’s nobody but Jimmy.” 

Pachota implied that if iCaur wanted to come for Jimny’s crown, it might want to bring more than just a photocopier. 

“Imitation is the finest form of flattery, and so be it. I wish everyone all the greatest success. I just know that I’ve got a great quality product.” 

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