Suzuki

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For other uses, see Suzuki (disambiguation).
Suzuki Motor Corporation
Suzuki Logo
Type Public (TYO: 7269 )
Founded 1909
Headquarters Flag of Japan Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, Japan
Key people Osamu Suzuki, Chairman & CEO
Hiroshi Tsuda, President & COO
Industry Auto-Cars/Light Trucks
Products Automobiles, Motorcycles, Outboard Motors, and Other Products
Revenue ¥2,365,571 million Japanese Yen (2005)
Employees 13,760 (2005)
Website www.globalsuzuki.com

Suzuki Motor Corporation is a Japanese multinational corporation company producing a range of automobiles (especially Keicars), a full range of motorcycles, outboard motors, and a variety of other small combustion-powered engine products. Suzuki has 15 automotive manufacturing plants in 14 countries and 133 distributors in 119 countries.

Contents

[edit] History

In 1909, Michio Suzuki founded the Suzuki Loom Company in the small seacoast village of Hamamatsu, Japan. Business boomed as Suzuki built weaving looms for Japan's giant silk industry. Suzuki's only desire was to build better, more user-friendly looms. In 1929, Michio Suzuki invented a new type of weaving machine, which was exported overseas. Suzuki filed as many as 120 patents and utility model rights. For the first 30 years of the company's existence, its focus was on the development and production of these exceptionally complex machines.

Despite the success of his looms, Suzuki realized his company had to diversify and he began to look at other products. Based on consumer demand, he decided that building a small car would be the most practical new venture. The project began in 1937, and within two years Suzuki had completed several compact prototype cars. These first Suzuki motor vehicles were powered by a then-innovative, liquid-cooled, four-stroke, four-cylinder engine. It featured a cast aluminum crankcase and gearbox and generated 13 horsepower from a displacement of less than 800cc.

With the onset of World War II, production plans for Suzuki's new vehicles were halted when the government declared civilian passenger cars a "non-essential commodity." At the conclusion of the war, Suzuki went back to producing looms. Loom production was given a boost when the U.S. government approved the shipping of cotton to Japan. Suzuki's fortunes brightened as orders began to increase from domestic textile manufacturers. But the joy was short-lived as the cotton market collapsed in 1951.

Faced with this colossal challenge, Suzuki's thoughts went back to motor vehicles. After the war, the Japanese had a great need for affordable, reliable personal transportation. A number of firms began offering "clip-on" gas-powered engines that could be attached to the typical bicycle. Suzuki's first two-wheel effort came in the form of a motorized bicycle called, the "Power Free." Designed to be inexpensive and simple to build and maintain, the 1952 Power Free featured a 36cc two-stroke engine. An unprecedented feature was the double-sprocket gear system, enabling the rider to either pedal with the engine assisting, pedal without engine assist, or simply disconnect the pedals and run on engine power alone. The system was so ingenious that the patent office of the new democratic government granted Suzuki a financial subsidy to continue research in motorcycle engineering. And so was born Suzuki Motor Corporation.

In 1953, Suzuki scored the first of countless racing victories when the tiny 60cc "Diamond Free" won its class in the Mount Fuji Hill Climb.

By 1954, Suzuki was producing 6,000 motorcycles per month and had officially changed its name to Suzuki Motor Co., Ltd. Following the success of its first motorcycles, Suzuki created an even more successful automobile: the 1955 "Suzulight." Suzuki showcased its penchant for innovation from the beginning. The Suzulight included front-wheel drive, four-wheel independent suspension and rack-and-pinion steering -- features common on cars half a century later.

[edit] Historical Timeline

1909 - Suzuki Loom Works founded in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Prefecture, by Michio Suzuki.
1920 - Reorganized, incorporated, and capitalized at 500,000 yen as Suzuki Loom Manufacturing Co. with Michio Suzuki as president.
1952 - 'Power Free' motorized bicycle marketed.
1954 - Company name changed to Suzuki Motor Co.,Ltd.
1955 - Lightweight car 'Suzulight' (360cc, 2-stroke) marketed helping to usher in Japan's light-weight car age.
1961 - Suzuki Loom Manufacturing Co. established by separating the loom machine division from the motor works and lightweight truck 'Suzulight Carry' marketed.
1962 - Suzuki won the 50cc class championship at the Isle of Man (U.K.)
1963 - U.S. Suzuki Motor Corp., a direct sales subsidiary, opened in Los Angeles.
1965 - 'D55' (5.5hp, 2-stroke) outboard motor marketed and makes early inroads and Fronte 800 marketed.
1967 - Thai Suzuki Motor Co., Ltd. established as a local assembly plant.
1968 - Carry full-cab van marketed.
1970 - LJ-Series 4X4 marketed.
1971 - GT750 motorcycle marketed.
1973 - Suzuki Canada Ltd., opened in Ontario, Canada.
1974 - P.T. Suzuki Indonesia Manufacturing established in Jakarta, Indonesia, entry into medical equipment field by marketing the Suzuki Motor Chair Z600 motorized wheelchair, expansion into the housing field initiated with Suzuki Home marketing two models of prefab 'Mini-House' and three types of storage sheds.
1975 - Antonio Suzuki Corp., a joint venture for knockdown production and sales, established in Manila, the Philippines.
1976 - GS-Series motorcycles marketed.
1977 - LJ80 4x4 vehicle marketed and exports of GS1000H motorcycle began.
1979 - Alto marketed.
1979 - SC100 marketed in the UK.
1980 - Suzuki Australia Pty. Ltd. established in Sydney, Australia and entry into general purpose engine field by marketing three electric power generator models.
1981 - Business ties with General Motors (U.S.) and Isuzu Motors, Ltd.(Japan) signed.
1982 - 4X4 production began at PAK Suzuki Motor Co., Ltd. in Karachi, Pakistan and won maker championship for 7th consecutive year at the World Road Race Grand Prix 500.
1982 - SC100 Discontinued in favour of Alto.
1983 - Cultus/Swift 1.0-liter passenger car marketed and 4X4 production started at Maruti Udyog Ltd. in New Delhi, India.
1984 - Suzuki New Zealand Ltd. established in Wanganui, New Zealand and began export of Chevrolet Sprint to the United States. Car production technical assistance contract signed with China National Aerotechnology Import & Export Beijing Corporation. Operation of Suzuki Motor GmbH Deutschland began in Heppenheim,Germany.
1985 - SUZUKI of AMERICA AUTOMOTIVE CORP. established with the introduction of the Samurai, GSX-R750 motorcycle with an oil-cooled engine marketed and scooter production started at Avello S.A. of Spain. Agreement with Santana Motors to to produce Suzuki cars in their Linares factory in Andalusia, Spain.
1986 - American Suzuki Motor Corp. is formed merging U.S. Suzuki Motor Corp and Suzuki of America Automotive Corp.
1987 - Cultus/Swift production began in Colombia and total aggregate car exports reached 2 million units.
1988 - Escudo/Vitara 4x4 marketed and total aggregate car production reached 10 million units..
1989 - CAMI Automotive Inc. established and began operation in Ontario, Canada. Swift GT and Sidekick sales begin in the United States.
1990 - Corporate name changed to Suzuki Motor Corporation.
1991 - Car production started in Korea through technical ties with Daewoo Shipbuilding & Heavy Machinery Ltd and Cappuccino 2-seater marketed.
1993 - Passenger car production/sales began at Suzuki Egypt S.A.E., opening ceremony for new car production plant held at Magyar Suzuki Corp. in Esztergom, Hungary and Wagon R passenger car marketed.
1994 - Maruti Udyog Ltd. of India total aggregate car production reached 1 million units.
1995 - Total aggregate motorcycle export reached 20 million units
1996 - Start of production in Vietnam (Motorcycles and automobiles)
1997 - Achieved 10 million cumulative automobile sales for overseas market and 4-stroke outboard motors win the Innovation Award at The International Marine Trade Exhibit and Conference (IMTEC) in Chicago.
1998 - Suzuki and General Motors form strategic alliance and Chongqing Changan Suzuki Automobile Co., Ltd. received official approval from the Chinese government for production of passenger cars.
1999 - Aggregate motorcycle production reaches 40 million units and Jiangxi Changhe Suzuki Automobile Co., Ltd. receives official approval from the Chinese government for production of commercial vehicles.
2000 - The company commemorates the 80th anniversary, aggregate car production at Kosai Plant reaches 10 million units and Suzuki production starts at General Motors de Argentina S.A.
2001 - Aggregate worldwide sales of SJ-Series reaches 2 million units, production of Alto reaches 4 million units and Suzuki achieves "Zero-Level" target of landfill waste
2002 - Achieved 30 million cumulative automobile sales for worldwide market and America's #1 warranty: 100,000/7-year powertrain limited warranty.
2003 - Suzuki is #1 in Keicar sales for the 30th consecutive year and Twin, the first hybrid Keicar in Japan, marketed.
2004 - Aggregate domestic automobile sales reach 15 million units
2005 - Swift was awarded the 2006 RJC Car of the Year.
2006 - New XL7 is marketed particularly to the North American market and GM divested, selling 92.36 million shares and reducing their stake to 3%.

[edit] American Suzuki Motor Corp. History

American Suzuki headquarters is located in Brea, California. Through an agreement with General Motors, Suzuki began selling a version of their Suzuki Cultus in United States as the Chevrolet Sprint in 1985. This model was initially sold as a 3-door hatchback and would be Chevrolet's smallest model.

2004 Suzuki XL-7
2004 Suzuki XL-7

The Samurai was also introduced in 1985 for the 1986 model year and 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. The Samurai was available as a convertible or hardtop and the company slogan was Never a Dull Moment. The Samurai was successful until Consumer Reports reportedly forced the Samurai to roll over in a 1988 test.

In 1989, American Suzuki introduced the Swift which was the 2nd generation Suzuki Cultus. The Swift was available as a GTi and GLX hatchback with a 4-door sedan following in 1990. A new small SUV called the Sidekick was also introduced in 1989. 1991 saw the introduction of the 4-door Suzuki Sidekick, the first 4-door mini-SUV in North America. 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. The Swift GT/GTi and 4-door models were imported from japan. Bad publicity from Consumer Reports and the Samurai nearly led to the demise of American Suzuki as annual sales in the following years dropped below 20,000 units.

In 1995, American Suzuki introduced the Esteem and redesigned the Swift. The Swift GT was dropped and this version Swift was specific only to North America where it was built at CAMI. These models were the first Suzukis to be marketed in North America with dual front airbags. A stationwagon version of the Esteem was introduced in 1996. Worldwide Suzuki production reached more than 975,000 cars this year.

Also in 1996, American Suzuki released the 2-door SUV X-90 and a revised Sidekick Sport model with dual airbags, a 120hp 1.8-liter engine, 16" wheels and two-tone paint. The Sidekick was replaced by the Vitara and the Grand Vitara for 1999. The Grand Vitara would be Suzuki's first model with a V6-cylinder engine and available 4-wheel ABS brakes.

The Grand Vitara XL-7 was introduced in 2001 as a stretched version of the Grand Vitara. The Grand Vitara XL-7 had a larger 2.7 liter V6-cylinder engine and 3-row seating. This would be Suzuki's largest vehicle to date and the first compact SUV to offer 3-row seating.

The Swift was dropped from the model lineup in 2001 and the Esteem was replaced in 2002 by the new Aerio. The Aerio was offered as a 4-door sedan and 5-door crossover with 4-wheel-drive as an option.

In 2004, General Motors and Suzuki jointly purchased the bankrupt Daewoo Motors renaming the venture GMDAT. American Suzuki rebadged the compact Daewoo Nubira/Daewoo Lacetti as the Forenza and the mid-size Daewoo Magnus as the Verona. The Forenza gained stationwagon and hatchback body style in 2005, with the hatchback sold under the Reno name.

2006 was the first year American Suzuki sold more than 100,000 vehicles in the United States. Suzuki redesigned the Grand Vitara in 2006 as well as introduced the all-new Suzuki SX4 and Suzuki XL7 in 2007. The Suzuki SX4 is produced as a joint venture with Fiat and the Suzuki XL7 (notice the shortening of the name from Grand Vitara XL-7) is produced as a joint venture with General Motors in Ingersoll, Canada.

[edit] Suzuki Canada Inc. History

1973 - June 1, Suzuki Canada Ltd. is incorporated with offices in Downsview, Ontario. Sold product line includes motorcycles, parts and accessories to Suzuki dealers throughout Canada.
1974 - Vancouver branch office and warehouse opens to service dealers in Western Canada.
1980 - Autumn - Suzuki Canada begins its automotive sales by marketing the four-wheel-LJ80 in Eastern Canada. Nov 1, the name of company changes from Suzuki Canada Ltd. to Suzuki Canada Inc.
1982 - Introduction of a line of All-Terrain Vehicles in Canada.
1983 - Introduction of a line of outboard motors in Western Canada. Feb 1, 1983 - Western Branch moves to enlarged facilities in Richmond, British Columbia.
1984 - Begin selling the 'Suzuki Forsa' (Suzuki Cultus) automobile.
1986 - $600 million GM-Suzuki joint venture, CAMI Automotive Inc., announces that it will manufacture cars. Production set to begin in 1989 in Ingersoll, Ontario.
1987 - Jan 25 - Suzuki Canada Inc. moves into a new 110,000 sq. ft. head office and warehouse facility in Richmond Hill, Ontario.
1988 - Autumn, Suzuki begins to sell Canadian-built 2-door Suzuki Sidekick.

[edit] OEM deals

Beginning in 1985, Suzuki has built cars for or been the basis of other manufacturers around the globe.

General Motors - The Suzuki Cultus/Suzuki Swift was rebadged as the Chevrolet Sprint and in Canada the Pontiac Firefly. The Suzuki Ignis has been rebadged as the Chevrolet Cruze and Holden Cruze in Japan and Australia. The Suzuki Carry has been rebadged as the Bedford Rascal and Vauxhall Rascal in the United Kingdom, Holden Scurry in Australia and Chevrolet Supercarry in Ecuador. The Suzuki Vitara has been rebadged as the Geo Tracker, Chevrolet Tracker. the Suzuki XL7 has been rebadged in South America as the Chevrolet Grand Nomad. The Suzuki SJ-Series has been rebadged as the Holden Drover.

Subaru - In Europe, the second generation Suzuki Swift and the Suzuki Ignis were rebadged as the Subaru Justy.

Mazda - Most of Mazda's Autozam keicar models are rebadged Suzukis as is the

Nissan - Nissan Moco is a rebadged Suzuki MR Wagon. Suzuki has recently collaborated more with Nissan, as they will supply Suzuki with a mid-sized pickup where Suzuki will provide Nissan with more minicars for the Japanese home market.

Maruti Udyog - Suzuki and India jointly own this company and all models are rebadged Suzuki. (www.marutiudyog.com)

Chang'an Automotive Corp (www.changansuzuki.com) - Suzuki Swift, Suzuki Alto, Suzuki Carry

Jiangxi Changhe (www.changhe-suzuki.com)

[edit] Automobiles

[edit] Kei Automobiles

[edit] Motorcycles

2002 Suzuki FXR150
2002 Suzuki FXR150

Suzuki started manufacturing motorcycles in 1952, the first models being motorized bicycles. During the 1950s, 1960s and the better part of the 1970s, the company manufactured motorcycles with two-stroke engines only, the biggest two-stroke model being the water-cooled triple-cylinder GT750. A large factor in Suzuki's success in two- stroke competition was the East German Grand Prix racer Ernst Degner, who defected to the West in 1961, bringing with him expertise in two- stroke engines from the East German manufacturer MZ. Suzuki hired Degner, and he won the 50cc World Championship for them in 1962.

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.

[edit] Street

[edit] Motocross / Off Road

[edit] Concept/prototype

[edit] All-terrain vehicles (ATVs)

A 2004 Suzuki LT-Z400 with some common and custom modifications done
A 2004 Suzuki LT-Z400 with some common and custom modifications done

Quadrunner

  • Suzuki KingQuad 700
  • Suzuki TwinPeaks 700
  • Suzuki Vinson 500
  • Suzuki Eiger 400
  • Suzuki Ozark 250


Quadsport

  • Suzuki LT-Z250
  • Suzuki LT-Z400
  • Suzuki LT-R450 (race ready)
  • Suzuki Escudo Pikes Peak version (rally/road)
  • Suzuki Cultus Pikes Peak version (rally/road)

[edit] ltr 450

best quad ever

[edit] Trivia

  • For Suzuki's American advertising as of July 2006, an edited version of The Mooney Suzuki's song "Alive and Amplified" appears on all American Suzuki commercials, despite the fact that the band was not named after the car.
  • Suzuki has created the motorcycles for every Kamen Rider series to date.
  • Suzuki also created the motorcycles for Uchuu Keiji Gavan, Uchuu Keiji Shaider, Choudenshi Bioman, and a whole host of other sentai and tokusatsu, notably from Toei. Suzuki is also a bike supplier to Toei.

[edit] External links

Portal:Japanese cars
 Japanese cars Portal
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Automotive marques of General Motors

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Affiliates
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Defunct Marques
Acadian (1962-1971) • Asüna (1992-1995) • Beaumont (1966-1969) • Geo (1989-1997) • LaSalle (1927-1940) • Marquette (1929-1930) • Oakland (1907-1931) • Oldsmobile (1897-2004) • Passport (1988-1991) • Ranger (1968-1976) • Viking (1929-1931)

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