Suzuki sets a new world record in South Africa

A small town in South Africa was met with quite the site this Sunday, 24 September, as 787 Suzuki vehicles turned on their headlights at the same time to set a new world record for the “most vehicles to switch on their lights simultaneously” – which was verified by none other than a representative from the Guinness World Records.

The record-breaking attempt was part of the inaugural Suzuki Safari Town Festival from 22-24 September in Clarens, Free State, and has been in planning for well over a year.

Not only was the Safari Town Festival the site for the new world record, but it also played host to one of the largest Suzuki Jimny gatherings to date with over 800 Jimny, SJ, Samurai, and LJ owners getting together to celebrate the mini-4×4’s long history.

An event to remember

Apart from the world record, what made the Safari Town Festival an event to remember was the attendance of Hisanori Matsushima, the manager of the Automobile Styling Department at Suzuki Motor Corporation, who was responsible for the design of the current Jimny.

His iconic design almost instantly created a global best-seller and was the reason the Jimny was declared the Urban Car of the Year at the World Car of the Year Awards in 2019.

“It was a privilege to host Matsushima-san at the South African Jimny Gathering,” said Brendon Carpenter, Brand Marketing Manager of Suzuki Auto.

“While he is well versed on the global success of the Jimny, it was great to introduce him to the fun and friendly South African Jimny fans and show him how his creation is used by adventure-seeking fans to explore every corner of our beautiful country.”

Suzuki Jimny 5-door at the 2023 Festival of Motoring

Thanks to the success of his original three-door Jimny, Matsushima was also responsible for the penning of the highly-anticipated Jimny five-door, which was first shown at this year’s Festival of Motoring in Gauteng and was also on display at this weekend’s festival.

The new five-door is expected to broaden the appeal of the “true-blue off-roder” and is targeting a new demographic of would-be 4×4 owners.

“Instead of being sold to existing Jimny owners, the five-door welcomes larger family units to the Suzuki family by retaining the three-door version’s offering of affordable go-anywhere off-road credentials with extra space to boot,” said Carpenter.

The Suzuki Jimny five-door is expected to go on sale in South Africa in the fourth quarter of 2024.