Specifics Jimny Sierra 1.5 (JPN) and Jimny Europe

Hi everyone!
I am based in Asia and considering getting a SJ here, but bring it back to Europe someday where I am from. The model I am considering to buy here is the Jimny Sierra 1.5 (2023) imported from Japan (so with all characteristics of a recent SJ 1.5 produced for the Japanese market). Because of EU regulations however, the Jimny is not sold on EU market since couple of years ago. Now, I should be able to import the SJ if I purchase it here because I would be the owner of it in both places, but I am wondering if anyone knows if the technical characteristics of the Jimny Sierra 1.5 produced in Japan (recent models 2022/2023) are the same as the Suzuki Jimny 1.5 produced and marketed in Europe before the ban on imports? Specifically, are emissions the same? because that could be an issue to bring it to Europe. Additionally, anyone knows where I could get the registration doc of a SJ Sierra 1.5 from JPN market online? so to be able to compare it with the current EU one to make sure there is no issue in importing it.
If anyone has a similar experience and could share it, or any advice on this, it'd be of extreme help!

Thanks.

Lorenzo

The Jimny is still sold in Europe and basically it is identical to the one in Japan.

The European one has only two seats now so that it can be sold as a van. This is because it still has the same emmissions as the one sold in Japan and these emmissions would penalise Suzuki if they were sold as a 4 seater car. Note the words "penalise" and not "banned". It was Suzukis decesion not to sell it, not the EUs.

As your Jimny would basically be identical to the van version sold here but with the seats in and it would be a private import you should not have issues on the emmission side. You may however have duties/taxes to pay and a registration process to go through

The Jimny was not banned in Europe. It was a commercial decision taken by Suzuki.

As for importing. It would depend on local laws to the specific country you are meaning. On the whole though, most countries allow private imports. But there may be a test or alterations required. In the U.K. this would be the IVA (individual vehicle approval). But it will be different from country to country.

Thanks Martin, very useful.
So it shouldn't be a problem to import it and register it in EU as a 4 seater and not a 2 seater, right?

wrote:

Thanks Martin, very useful.
So it shouldn't be a problem to import it and register it in EU as a 4 seater and not a 2 seater, right?

As said above, it depends on the country in question. EU is not a country. And while there is a universal Type Approval for mass produced European cars or imports. Most/all countries will have different regulations for private imports.

You mentioned private imports, is there anything stopping a business from importing JDM 4 seaters and selling them in the UK?

Could be a good little business for someone.

wrote:

You mentioned private imports, is there anything stopping a business from importing JDM 4 seaters and selling them in the UK?

Could be a good little business for someone.

Grey imports are or at least were quite a big business in the UK. There is a cap to the total number of vehicles of a specific model that can be imported per year under IVA, but normally not an issue. I suspect the biggest problem may be value. Shipping, plus all the import duties, VAT, IVA & registration plus profit. Probably makes them pricey overall.