Wikipedia

Suzuki

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For other uses, see Suzuki (disambiguation).

Suzuki Motor Corporation (スズキ株式会社) TYO: 7269 is a Japanese manufacturing company producing a range of small automobiles (especially Keicars), a full range of motorcycles, outboard motors, and a variety of other small combustion-powered engine products. It has main production facilities located in 22 countries and areas around the world.

Suzuki Motor Corporation
Company typePublic
ISINJP3397210000 Edit this on Wikidata
IndustryAuto-Cars/Light Trucks
Founded1909
HeadquartersHQ in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, Japan
Key people
Osamu Suzuki, Chairman & CEO
Hiroshi Tsuda, President & COO
ProductsAutomobiles, Motorcycles, Outboard Motors, and Other Products
Revenue¥2,365,571 million Japanese Yen (2005)
Number of employees
13,760 (2005)
Websitewww.globalsuzuki.com

History

The company started out as Suzuki Loom Works in 1909. It was founded in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Prefecture Japan, by Michio Suzuki.

In 1952 it created the motorized bicycle, called Power Free, which featured a 2x36cc engine. This bike was popular, so in 1954 it introduced a second bicycle.

In 1954 the company's name changed to Suzuki Motor Corporation. In 1955 Suzuki introduced its first mass-produced car, the Suzulight.

During the 1970s, the models Suzuki Fronte (in different variations such as the 360 or the Viola) and Suzuki Jimny were produced.

General Motors invested in Suzuki in the early 1980s, with their share of the company rising to 20.4% by 2006. GM divested in March, 2006, however, selling 92.36 million shares and reducing their stake to 3% in order to raise $2.3 billion. Suzuki still owns 11% of GM Daewoo Auto and Technology.

American Suzuki Co. History

In 1985, Suzuki made an agreement with General Motors to meet the increasing demand for small cars and the Chevrolet Sprint (Suzuki Cultus in Japan) was introduced in the United States.

 
2004 Suzuki XL-7

Also in 1985 (for the 1986 model year), the Samurai (a small off-roader; also known variously as the Jimny, Sierra and SJ410/SJ413 outside the US) was the first car introduced to the United States by the newly created American Suzuki Corp. No other Japanese company sold more cars in the United States in its first year than Suzuki. It was successful until Consumer Reports reportedly forced the Samurai to roll over in a 1988 test. Both companies spent over a decade in court debating this issue with no winner.

In 1989, American Suzuki introduced the Swift and a new small SUV called the Sidekick. The Swift and Sidekick were cousins to GM's Geo Metro and Geo Tracker and were mostly produced in Ingersoll, Canada by Suzuki and GM's joint venture, CAMI.

In 1995 American Suzuki introduced the Esteem and redesigned the Swift. Worldwide Suzuki production reached more than 975,000 cars this year. In 1996, American Suzuki released the X-90 to replace the Samurai. The Sidekick was replaced by the Vitara and the Grand Vitara for 1999.

After 2001, the Swift (by then the most inexpensive car in America) had left the Suzuki lineup. The Esteem also left, to be replaced with the Aerio for 2002. Suzuki was now down from two SUVs to one, and two cars to one.

In 2004, General Motors rebadged two Daewoo cars with the Suzuki name: the compact Forenza (Daewoo Nubira/Daewoo Lacetti) and the midsize Verona (Daewoo Magnus, formerly the Daewoo Leganza). The Forenza gained wagon and hatchback body styles for 2005, with the hatchback sold under the Reno name. Suzuki also introduced a redesigned Grand Vitara as a 2006 model.

OEM deals

Beginning with the Chevrolet Sprint, Suzuki has built cars for other manufacturers. In Europe, the main rebadged Suzuki is the Subaru Justy and G3X Justy, which has been a version of its Swift and, more recently, its Ignis. Most of Mazda's (and Autozam's) smallest vehicles are made by Suzuki, as is the Nissan Moco. Suzuki's Samurai/Sierra was also known as the Holden Drover between 1985 and 1987. The Chevrolet Cruze and Holden Cruze are also on Suzuki platforms—again the Ignis's but with a Holden-designed body. The Geo and Chevrolet Tracker were Suzuki Vitaras by another name.

Cars

File:Suzuki badge.jpg
Suzuki badge on 1999 Jimny

Vans

Motorcycles

 
2002 Suzuki FXR150

Suzuki started manufacturing motorcycles in 1952, the first models being motorized bicycles. During the 1950's, 1960's and the better part of 1970's, the company manufactured motorcycles with two-stroke engines only, the biggest two-stroke model being the water-cooled triple-cylinder GT750. However, it wasn't until 1976 when Suzuki introduced its first motorcycle with a four-stroke engine, the GS400 and GS750. Since then, Suzuki has established a reputation as a manufacturer of well-engineered sport motorcycles.

Also see: Suzuki Motorcycle/Scooter Naming Conventions

Street

Motocross / Off Road

All-terrain vehicles (ATVs)

Other

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