Suzuki Jimny has left such an impact on the world that emerging carmakers are still trying to devise products that resemble it.
Vietnamese EV startup VinFast has developed an electric mini-SUV that can be taken as a copy of the acclaimed Suzuki Jimny. Jimny has been around in various international markets for decades. It has proven its mettle when it comes to lightweight off-roading SUVs since the time of World War ll. However, it was not on sale currently in the US which is a shame for the local people. VinFast is a Vietnamese carmaker that has commenced selling its EVs in the USA. However, even this VF3 mini SUV won’t be on sale there.
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Vietnamese Copy of Suzuki Jimny
VinFast launched the VF8 in the USA. It is a large electric SUV. However, its sales have not been encouraging at all. VinFast was pinning high hopes for this model as their entry into one of the largest automobile markets in the world. Perhaps, that could be the reason why they have no plans of launching the VF3 there as of now. It will be the smallest EV in the lineup. It measures 10.2 ft in length which is a full 2.9 ft smaller than the Suzuki Jimny. That explains just how tiny this thing is.
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The design is quite appealing, especially if you love anything about the Jimny. There are prominent headlamps on the grille that has the V logo with chrome garnishing extending on both sides. The bumper looks rugged and the bonnet has an upright stance. There are rugged wheel arches and the side profile is devoid of any characteristic creases. The front and rear windshields are raked. At the rear, the design is quite compact and the dual-tone paint oozes sportiness. All in all, one can’t miss the resemblance with Jimny.
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What We Think
The mini-electric car market is gaining traction and popularity in many parts of the world. The reasons are quite simple. The initial costs of regular EVs are significantly higher than their ICE-powered counterparts. On top of that, the lack of charging infrastructure has induced range anxiety among potential buyers preventing them from taking the plunge. But mini cars have a completely different use case. They are generally perceived to be the second car in any household that focuses on practicality and commutes around town to run errands. Hence, low-cost EVs are needed and range is not an issue since they will be charged at home all the time.
