Reports indicate that about 20 years ago, a kei car based on the sixth-generation Suzuki Alto was offered in an armored version for banks. It was reportedly never sold through official channels, with the prevailing view being that it was a custom-built vehicle for financial institutions.
The article reports that an armored kei car based on the sixth-generation Suzuki Alto was available for banks/financial institutions. The vehicle was not officially sold by Suzuki, but was reportedly offered to financial institutions by the domestic armored-vehicle manufacturer “セキュリコ.” セキュリコ is said to have been acquired by Howa Machinery, Ltd. in 2022.
According to the materials, the vehicle was said to offer protection against knives, modified air guns and actual handguns. It was also equipped with a superior detachable security system and a small safe capable of storing a cash-collection bag and its contents. Although it is explicitly described as an armored vehicle, specific details such as the thickness of the steel plates have not been disclosed.
Questions have also been raised about the actual nature of the armored Alto. Since kei cars are generally not sold overseas, it cannot be definitively called the world's first, and the scale of any realistic demand is unknown. The materials also suggest that its ability to defend against weapons more powerful than handguns may have been limited.
The article concludes that the armored Alto is not currently a vehicle widely available on the market and is highly likely to be offered only on a custom-order basis. It could be an interesting subject for enthusiasts looking for a used sixth-generation Alto.