A few days ago, Suzuki finally ventured into the world of electric vehicles, unveiling the eVitara. It’ll be built in India and shares a lot in common with a new Toyota bZ SUV that’s also on the horizon. However, Suzuki remains trepidatious about future EV investments due to the ever-fluctuating industry.

The Japanese carmaker had originally promised to invest $35 billion to launch five EVs by 2030, but this may no longer happen. While speaking with media members at the launch of the eVitara, company president Toshihiro Suzuki acknowledged the slowdown in EV demand and increased competition from Chinese brands.

Read: New Suzuki eVitara Is Toyota’s Next bZ In Disguise

“We are in a very difficult situation at this moment as the sales of BEVs are slowing down and on the other hand, affordable and cheap EVs from China are coming into the market, so it is a very difficult time to introduce [further] BEVs,” he told Autocar. “Looking at the current situation, the government incentives for BEVs are going out and, [coupled] with Chinese EVs that have very strong [segment] competitiveness, you have to think carefully about what type of BEV should be introduced to the market and in what time.”

Suzuki teased its five planned EVs back in early 2023. One of these included an all-electric version of the Jimny and BEV variants of the S-Cross and Ignis. While the idea of an electric Jimny sounds compelling, the brand’s president recently poured cold water on the plan, suggesting the added weight of a battery pack “would ruin the best part” of the pint-sized off-roader.

So, what EV is next for Suzuki? It will be something smaller than the eVitara, but the date it’ll launch largely depends on how well the eVitara sells and future market trends.

While many other car manufacturers continue to rush towards EVs, despite some growth pains this year, Suzuki doesn’t have the same urgency. Part of the reason for this is that 48% of its annual car sales come from India, and combustion vehicles will continue to play a big role in that market for many years to come. As a result, Suzuki is developing hybrids, e-fuels, and vehicles that run on biogas.

Suzuki has finally dipped its toes into the electric waters with the debut of the eVitara, the brand’s first-ever EV. But if you were hoping that this signaled an electric Jimny on the horizon, think again. Comments from President Toshihiro Suzuki suggest that the pint-sized off-roader isn’t in line for the EV treatment anytime soon.

According to Suzuki’s boss, a fully electric Jimny would be fundamentally at odds with the vehicle’s essence. The president cited battery weight as a critical issue: “If you talk about the Jimny EV, I think it would ruin the best part of the Jimny. I think the core strength of the Jimny is the right weight.”

More: Suzuki Jimny Horizon Is A Special Farewell With A Retro Twist

Needless to say, these comments contradict the official announcement of Suzuki’s own electrification roadmap from early 2023. Back then, the company confirmed that a fully electric Jimny was indeed in development for the European market, even teasing a darkened silhouette featuring new LED headlight graphics around its Jeep-like grille. Either there’s a disconnect between corporate strategy and the president’s vision, or Suzuki is hedging its bets on whether the Jimny can withstand the pressures of electrification without losing its character.

As reported by Autocar, Suzuki’s president also poured cold water on speculation about a hybrid Jimny. Rumors of an electrified variant—potentially offering some form of hybrid powertrain—have circulated for years, but Toshihiro Suzuki suggested that for Europe, the Jimny would remain strictly a light commercial vehicle (LCV).

He went a step further, musing about alternative fuels as a possible future for the Jimny: “If we want to keep providing the Jimny to the market as tools for the professionals, maybe the e-fuel, or biofuel utilizing the ICE technology would be the way to keep Jimny supported in the future.” It’s a cryptic hint at a future where the Jimny holds onto internal combustion in some form, no matter what regulatory hurdles lie ahead.

For fans of the current-generation Jimny, which launched in 2018, this might come as bittersweet news. Since 2021, European buyers have only had access to a two-seater LCV version, as the standard passenger variant was axed to sidestep harsh emissions regulations. There’s been some hope that the upcoming mid-cycle refresh might bring back the full passenger model, by adding mild-hybrid or self-charging hybrid powertrain options. While the technology is already available in other Suzuki models, its president’s comments suggest that the electrification treatment might not be applied to the Jimny after all.

Notably absent from Suzuki’s statements was any mention of a timeline for the facelifted Jimny or any additional variants. The Jimny is exclusively offered as a three-door model in Europe and South America, but other markets including India, and Australia, have access to a more practical and spacious five-door variant as well. Furthermore, a pickup version has been rumored to be under consideration, potentially expanding the Jimny lineup.

In the meantime, Suzuki has kept enthusiasts entertained with special editions like the Jimny Mata inItaly, and the Jimny Horizon in Germany. Both were billed as farewell specials, suggesting that the facelifted version would arrive sooner rather than later.