Core Viewpoint - Suzuki's first electric vehicle (EV), the "e Vitara," is set to launch in January 2026, aiming to strengthen its position in the EV market as a latecomer [2][4]. Group 1: Product Details - The "e Vitara" is a small SUV available in two-wheel drive (2WD) and four-wheel drive (4WD) configurations [2]. - The starting price for the lowest 2WD model is approximately 3.9 million yen (around 188,000 RMB), with an expected range of over 400 kilometers under the WLTC mode [4]. - The "e Vitara" will become Suzuki's highest-priced model in its lineup [4]. Group 2: Market Context - The Japanese government offers subsidies for EV purchases, which will further reduce the effective price. The average subsidy for domestically produced EVs in Japan is about 810,000 yen (approximately 39,000 RMB) [4]. - In Suzuki's domestic sales for the fiscal year 2024, light vehicles (a unique category in Japan for vehicles with engine displacements under 660cc) account for 81% of total sales, although non-light vehicle sales are also increasing [4]. Group 3: Sales Performance - The small passenger car "SOLIO" and the SUV "Fronx" are expected to drive sales growth in the fiscal year 2025 [5]. - The "SWIFT" series of small passenger cars achieved a global cumulative sales milestone of over 10 million units, marking the first time a non-light vehicle from Suzuki has reached this significant figure [5].

Core Viewpoint - The Japanese import car market is undergoing significant changes, with Suzuki's Jimny Nomad leading sales, indicating a shift towards vehicles produced in India that match the quality of domestic cars [1][3]. Group 1: Suzuki's Performance - Suzuki's import car sales in Japan reached 3,990 units in April, an increase of 8,300% year-on-year, surpassing Mercedes-Benz and BMW [3]. - The Jimny Nomad, a five-door version of the popular Jimny, received overwhelming demand, with orders exceeding 50,000 within four days of its launch [3]. - Suzuki aims to develop India as an export base, planning to increase annual production capacity to 4 million units by 2031, with an investment of 1.2 trillion yen in the production system [3]. Group 2: Honda's Growth - Honda's import car sales in Japan from January to April reached 16,720 units, a 65% increase year-on-year, with the WR-V SUV contributing to this growth [4]. - The overall sales of Japanese cars imported from overseas increased by 33% in the same period, reaching 35,269 units, matching levels not seen since 1995 [4]. Group 3: Industry Implications - The rise in imported vehicles, particularly from India, poses a risk of hollowing out Japan's domestic automotive industry, as local production investments face challenges due to a shrinking market and increased tariff risks [5]. - Japanese automakers are at a crossroads, with companies like Toyota emphasizing the need to maintain domestic production targets amidst these changes [5].