Suzuki has introduced a factory-built vehicle in the Philippines intended for police use, which has 97 hp and can carry up to ten people, openly admitting that this model is not designed for high-speed pursuits.
This model, named Carry Patrol Van, is equipped with a five-speed manual transmission, rear-wheel drive, and offers side seating in the rear to accommodate ten occupants. Its starting price is 822,000 Philippine pesos, which is approximately equivalent to R$ 69,700.
Suzuki's approach differs significantly from the Brazilian market, where police forces tend to invest in robust and powerful utilities, such as the Toyota SW4, suitable for highways. In Southeast Asia, however, the need identified is for a vehicle that can navigate narrow streets and has low operating costs, which Suzuki addressed with an existing model in its catalog.
The main target audience is the municipalities and the barangays, which constitute the smallest administrative unit in the Philippines, comparable to a neighborhood or district. In this scenario, the patrolling function does not require high speed with sirens, but rather the capacity for presence: conducting block patrols, moving personnel between points, and maintaining flawless operation.
The vehicle's mechanics have not undergone substantial changes. The 1.5-liter, naturally aspirated, four-cylinder engine, positioned under the floor, generates 97 hp and 13.8 kgfm. These are the same figures found in the naturally aspirated 1.3 hatchback, although in this case the vehicle needs to move 4.19 meters of utility along with ten passengers. The chassis is constructed with longitudinal beams and uses a rear spring system, offering a load capacity of up to 940 kg.
In the Philippines, the Carry model represents an enlarged and wider version of the Japanese kei truck, which has been manufactured in Indonesia since 2019 with few modifications. The conversion for police use occurs exclusively in the rear; the cabin retains its original design. The cargo compartment has been fitted with a reinforced module, reversible seats, checker plate flooring, and a built-in side step. It is important to note that the vehicle is not armored; the side closures are made of roll-up canvas, which has locks.
From the factory, the Carry Patrol Van comes equipped with emergency lights on the roof, a siren, and an external speaker for public communication.
Additionally, Suzuki also presented the Carry PUV Class 1, aimed at transport cooperatives, municipal shuttle services, and resorts. This model replaces the emergency lights with a square rear module, includes side seating, greater internal height, roll-up canvas windows, and a standard fire extinguisher. The cost of this PUV is 849,000 pesos (equivalent to US$ 13.8 thousand). The standard Carry line starts sales at 614,000 pesos (US$ 10 thousand).