Suzuki
Encyclopedia
is a Japanese multinational corporation
headquartered in Hamamatsu, Japan that specializes in manufacturing compact automobiles and 4x4 vehicles, a full range of motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs)
, outboard marine engines
, wheelchair
s and a variety of other small internal combustion engines. Suzuki is Japan's 4th largest automobile manufacturer after Toyota, Nissan and Honda
, the 9th largest automobile manufacturer in the world by production volume, employs over 45,000, has 35 main production facilities in 23 countries and 133 distributors in 192 countries. According to statistics from the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA), Suzuki is Japan's second-largest manufacturer of small cars and trucks.
for Japan's
giant silk industry. 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. The company's first 30 years focused on the development and production of these exceptionally complex machines.
Despite the success of his loom
s, 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 hp 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 loom
s. 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 ingenuity 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 36 cc, one horsepower, 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 many racing victories when the tiny 60 cc "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 Suzuki 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 not common on cars until three decades later.
Based in Gurgaon
, India, Maruti Suzuki India Limited is Suzuki's largest and most valuable subsidiary with an annual production of 1,018,365 units in the fiscal 2009–2010. Suzuki has a 54.2% stake in the Indian auto giant and the rest is owned by the various Indian public and financial institutions. The company was incorporated in 1981 and is listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange
and National Stock Exchange of India
. In 2005–2006, the company had a 54% market share of the passenger car market in India. Nearly 75,000 people are employed directly by Maruti and its partners.
Maruti Suzuki was born as a Government of India
company, with Suzuki as a minor partner, to make a lower priced car for middle class India. Over the years, the product range has widened, ownership has changed hands and the customer has evolved.
Maruti Suzuki offers 14 models, ranging from India's one-time best selling car, Maruti 800
, for less than INR
200,000 (US$ 5000) to the premium sedan Maruti Suzuki Kizashi and luxury SUV, Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara. Maruti 800 was the first model launched by the company in 1983 followed by mini-van Maruti Omni in 1984. Both models were huge success in their respective categories because of the use of high-end technology and good fuel efficiency. Maruti Gypsy
, launched in 1985, came into widespread use with the Indian Army
and Indian Police Service
becoming its primary customers. The short-lived Maruti 1000
too achieved moderate success until it was replaced by Maruti Esteem in 1994, to counter increasing competition in the medium-sedan category.
Maruti Zen
, launched in 1993, was the company's second compact car model and also became extremely popular in India because of its high performance. The company went on to launch another compact car Maruti Wagon-R followed by Maruti Baleno in 1999. However, with increasing competition from Tata
, Hyundai, Honda
and Daewoo Motors
, Maruti was not able to achieve the same success with Baleno as it had with its earlier models. So it replaced Maruti Suzuki Baleno with the Suzuki SX4. Currently Suzuki SX4 is facing stiff competition from the Honda City
.
In 2000, Maruti Alto was launched. The launch of Tata Indica
and Hyundai Santro had affected Maruti's sales but Alto helped secure the company's position as the auto leader in India. It is currently the largest selling car in India. The Maruti models include Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara, launched in 2003, Maruti Versa, launched in 2004, Maruti Suzuki Swift
, launched in 2005, Maruti Zen Estilo and Maruti Suzuki SX4
, launched in 2007. The Alto, Swift and SX4 are leaders in their respective segments in the Indian Market.
On 14 February, Maruti Suzuki India, a Suzuki subsidiary in India, announced that it achieved one million total accumulated production volume of the Alto. The Alto has reached the million units mark in just seven years and five months since its launch on September 2000. The last half of the million has come in a record 25 months. The Alto has been India's largest volume-selling car, every month, for the past 37 consecutive months. Its popularity has continued to grow since its launch, with customers attracted to its low price with fuel efficiency. With this the Alto became the third car in the Maruti Suzuki stable to cross the million units mark. Previously, the Maruti 800 and the Omni had exceeded the million units mark. Besides its success in India, over 152,000 Altos made at Maruti Suzuki were delivered internationally, enjoying good outcomes in Algeria and Chile.
Maruti Exports Limited is the subsidiary of Maruti Udyog Limited with its major focus on exports and it does not operate in the domestic Indian market. The first commercial consignment of 480 cars were sent to Hungary. By sending a consignment of 571 cars to the same country, Maruti crossed the benchmark of 3,000,000 cars. Since its inception export was one of the aspects the government has been keen to encourage. Every political party expected Maruti to earn foreign exchange. But compared to Hyundai Maruti Suzuki is poor on export front.
Other subsidiary companies of the Suzuki Motor Corporation, Japan in India are:
, California. Through an agreement with General Motors, Suzuki began selling a version of their Suzuki Cultus
in the 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.
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
alleged the Samurai of being susceptible to roll over in a 1988 test. This led to a much publicized 1996 lawsuit
, not settled until 2004.
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
, Ontario, Canada by Suzuki and GM's joint venture, CAMI. The Swift GT/GTi and 4-door models were imported from Japan. Negative evaluations from Consumer Reports
of the Suzuki Samurai led to some temporary setbacks at American Suzuki as annual sales in the following years dropped to 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 Suzuki vehicles to be marketed in North America with dual front airbag
s. A station wagon
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 120 hp 1.8 liter engine, 16 inch 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.
The Swift was dropped from the model lineup in 2001 and the Esteem
was replaced in 2002 by the new Aerio
, which 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 station wagon
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 XL7 (notice the shortening of the name from Grand Vitara XL-7) was produced as a joint venture with GM at CAMI Automotive Inc. in Ingersoll. Suzuki put XL7 production on indefinite hiatus in mid-2009 due to low demand and subsequently sold off its share of CAMI back to GM later that year.
Despite a difficult domestic US automarket, Suzuki has been keeping pace with its 2007 sales numbers including recording their best May ever in May 2008.
In 2009, Suzuki sales dropped 48.5%, after sales fell 17% in 2008. Suzuki did not import any 2010 model year street motorcycles into the US, with dealers instead relying on unsold stock from the 2009 model year. New street motorcycle models to the US resumed for the 2011 model year.
was incorporated as a public limited company in August 1983.
The new company assumed the assets including production facilities of Awami Autos Limited. PSMCL started commercial operations in January 1984 with the primary objective of passenger cars, pick ups, vans and 4x4 vehicles.
The groundbreaking ceremony of the company’s green field automobile plant at Bin Qasim was performed by the then Prime Minister of Pakistan in early 1989.
On completion of first phase of this plant in early 1990, in-house assembly Suzuki engines started. The new plant was completed in 1992, and Suzuki production was transferred to new plant – and three-box
1,300 cc Margalla car was also added to its range of production.
In September 1992 the company was privatized and placed directly under the Japanese Management. At the time of privatization SMC increased its equity from 25% to 40% Subsequently, SMC progressively increased its equity to 73.09% by 31 December 2001.
The Bin Qasim Plant further expanded its production capacity to 50,000 vehicles per year in July 1994 and 300,000 vehicles had been manufactured at this plant by December 2003.
Paksuzuki currently exports its cars to countries like Bangladesh, Ghana, Nigeria & Maldives.
General Motors
Fiat
Subaru
Mazda
Nissan
Maruti Suzuki
Volkswagen
Mitsubishi Motors
concept car was presented in 2001. It is fitted with a 1,300 cc engine taken from the GSX1300R Hayabusa.
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 50 cc class
F.I.M.
road racing
World Championship for them in the 1962 season
. Suzuki became the first Japanese manufacturer to win a motocross world championship when Joel Robert
won the 1970 250 cc title. In the 1970s, Suzuki established themselves in the motorcycle racing world with Barry Sheene
and Roger De Coster winning world championships in the premier 500 cc division in road racing
and motocross
respectively. Suzuki continues to compete in MotoGP
and last won the title in the 2000 season
. Since 2006, the team is sponsored by Rizla
and is known as Rizla Suzuki MotoGP team. On 18 November 2011, Suzuki announced that the GP racing was suspended, partly due to natural disasters and recession, until 2014.
It was not until 1976 that Suzuki introduced its first motorcycle with a four-stroke engine, the GS400
and GS750
.
In 1994, Suzuki partnered with Nanjing Jincheng Machinery to create a Chinese motorcycle manufacturer and exporter called Jincheng Suzuki
.
, biathlon
, and cross country skiing sporting events.
They also the current title sponsor of ASEAN Football Championship.
Multinational corporation
A multi national corporation or enterprise , is a corporation or an enterprise that manages production or delivers services in more than one country. It can also be referred to as an international corporation...
headquartered in Hamamatsu, Japan that specializes in manufacturing compact automobiles and 4x4 vehicles, a full range of motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs)
All-terrain vehicle
An all-terrain vehicle , also known as a quad, quad bike, three wheeler, or four wheeler, is defined by the American National Standards Institute as a vehicle that travels on low pressure tires, with a seat that is straddled by the operator, along with handlebars for steering control...
, outboard marine engines
Outboard motor
An outboard motor is a propulsion system for boats, consisting of a self-contained unit that includes engine, gearbox and propeller or jet drive, designed to be affixed to the outside of the transom and are the most common motorized method of propelling small watercraft...
, wheelchair
Wheelchair
A wheelchair is a chair with wheels, designed to be a replacement for walking. The device comes in variations where it is propelled by motors or by the seated occupant turning the rear wheels by hand. Often there are handles behind the seat for someone else to do the pushing...
s and a variety of other small internal combustion engines. Suzuki is Japan's 4th largest automobile manufacturer after Toyota, Nissan and Honda
Honda
is a Japanese public multinational corporation primarily known as a manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles.Honda has been the world's largest motorcycle manufacturer since 1959, as well as the world's largest manufacturer of internal combustion engines measured by volume, producing more than...
, the 9th largest automobile manufacturer in the world by production volume, employs over 45,000, has 35 main production facilities in 23 countries and 133 distributors in 192 countries. According to statistics from the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA), Suzuki is Japan's second-largest manufacturer of small cars and trucks.
History
In 1909, Michio Suzuki (1887–1982) founded the Suzuki Loom Works in the small seacoast village of Hamamatsu, Japan. Business boomed as Suzuki built weaving loomsLoom
A loom is a device used to weave cloth. The basic purpose of any loom is to hold the warp threads under tension to facilitate the interweaving of the weft threads...
for Japan's
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
giant silk industry. 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. The company's first 30 years focused on the development and production of these exceptionally complex machines.
Despite the success of his loom
Loom
A loom is a device used to weave cloth. The basic purpose of any loom is to hold the warp threads under tension to facilitate the interweaving of the weft threads...
s, 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
Prototype
A prototype is an early sample or model built to test a concept or process or to act as a thing to be replicated or learned from.The word prototype derives from the Greek πρωτότυπον , "primitive form", neutral of πρωτότυπος , "original, primitive", from πρῶτος , "first" and τύπος ,...
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
Crankcase
In an internal combustion engine of the reciprocating type, the crankcase is the housing for the crankshaft. The enclosure forms the largest cavity in the engine and is located below the cylinder, which in a multicylinder engine are usually integrated into one or several cylinder blocks...
and gearbox and generated 13 hp 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 loom
Loom
A loom is a device used to weave cloth. The basic purpose of any loom is to hold the warp threads under tension to facilitate the interweaving of the weft threads...
s. Loom
Loom
A loom is a device used to weave cloth. The basic purpose of any loom is to hold the warp threads under tension to facilitate the interweaving of the weft threads...
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 ingenuity 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 36 cc, one horsepower, 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
Subsidy
A subsidy is an assistance paid to a business or economic sector. Most subsidies are made by the government to producers or distributors in an industry to prevent the decline of that industry or an increase in the prices of its products or simply to encourage it to hire more labor A subsidy (also...
to continue research in motorcycle engineering, and so was born Suzuki Motor Corporation.
In 1953, Suzuki scored the first of many racing victories when the tiny 60 cc "Diamond Free" won its class in the Mount Fuji
Mount Fuji
is the highest mountain in Japan at . An active stratovolcano that last erupted in 1707–08, Mount Fuji lies about south-west of Tokyo, and can be seen from there on a clear day. Mount Fuji's exceptionally symmetrical cone is a well-known symbol of Japan and it is frequently depicted in art and...
Hill Climb.
Suzuki Suzulight
Suzulight was the brand used for a the Kei Jidosha small cars built by the Suzuki Motor Corporation from 1955 to 1969. They were Suzuki's first entry into automotive manufacturing, having previously only produced motorcycles. The Suzulight sedans and light vans all had transversely mounted engines...
. Suzuki showcased its penchant for innovation from the beginning. The Suzulight included front-wheel drive, four-wheel independent suspension and rack-and-pinion
Rack and pinion
A rack and pinion is a type of linear actuator that comprises a pair of gears which convert rotational motion into linear motion. A circular gear called "the pinion" engages teeth on a linear "gear" bar called "the rack"; rotational motion applied to the pinion causes the rack to move, thereby...
steering—features not common on cars until three decades later.
Historical timeline
- 1909: Suzuki Loom Works founded in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka PrefectureShizuoka Prefectureis a prefecture of Japan located in the Chūbu region on Honshu island. The capital is the city of Shizuoka.- History :Shizuoka prefecture was formed from the former Tōtōmi, Suruga and Izu provinces.The area was the home of the first Tokugawa Shogun...
, by Mr. Michio Suzuki. - 1920: Reorganized, incorporated, and capitalized at 500,000 yen as Suzuki Loom Manufacturing Co. with Michio Suzuki as presidentPresidentA president is a leader of an organization, company, trade union, university, or country.Etymologically, a president is one who presides, who sits in leadership...
. - 1952: "Power Free" motorized bicycle marketed.
- 1954: Company name changed to Suzuki Motor Co., Ltd.
- 1955: Lightweight car Suzuki SuzulightSuzuki SuzulightSuzulight was the brand used for a the Kei Jidosha small cars built by the Suzuki Motor Corporation from 1955 to 1969. They were Suzuki's first entry into automotive manufacturing, having previously only produced motorcycles. The Suzulight sedans and light vans all had transversely mounted engines...
(360 cc, 2-stroke) front wheel drive, marketed helping to usher in Japan'sJapanJapan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
light-weight car age. - 1961: Suzuki Loom Manufacturing Co. established by separating the loomLoomA loom is a device used to weave cloth. The basic purpose of any loom is to hold the warp threads under tension to facilitate the interweaving of the weft threads...
machine division from the motor works and lightweight truck "Suzulight CarrySuzuki CarryThe Suzuki Carry is a kei truck produced by the Japanese automaker Suzuki. The microvan version was originally called the Carry van until 1982 when the van was renamed as the '...
" marketed. - 1962: Suzuki won the 50 cc class championship at the Isle of Man TTIsle of Man TTThe International Isle of Man TT Race is a motorcycle racing event held on the Isle of Man and was for many years the most prestigious motorcycle race in the world...
- 1963: U.S. Suzuki Motor Corp., a direct sales subsidiary, opened in Los Angeles.
- 1965: "D55" (5.5 hp, 2-stroke) outboard motor marketed and makes early inroads and Fronte 800Suzuki Fronte 800The Suzuki Fronte 800 was a 2-stroke subcompact car built by the Suzuki Motor Corporation in the latter half of the 1960s.-History:Introduced in August 1965 , the Fronte 800 was an attempt at competing in a higher market segment than the Suzulight Kei jidosha class offerings...
marketed. - 1967: Thai Suzuki Motor Co., Ltd. established as a local assembly plant.
- 1968: CarrySuzuki CarryThe Suzuki Carry is a kei truck produced by the Japanese automaker Suzuki. The microvan version was originally called the Carry van until 1982 when the van was renamed as the '...
full-cab van marketed. - 1970: T500 (TT Isle of Man) Frank Whiteway
- 1970: LJ-SeriesSuzuki JimnyThe Suzuki Jimny is a line of SUVs from Suzuki. The line started in 1968 and is still running.-History:The history of Suzuki four-wheel-drive cars dates to 1968. Suzuki bought former Japanese automaker Hope Motor Company which had introduced fifteen small off-road vehicles called the HopeStar...
(Jimny) 4×4Four-wheel driveFour-wheel drive, 4WD, or 4×4 is a four-wheeled vehicle with a drivetrain that allows all four wheels to receive torque from the engine simultaneously...
marketed. - 1971: Ts185 EnduroEnduroEnduro is a form of motorcycle sport run on courses that are predominantly off-road. Enduro consists of many different obstacles and challenges...
marketed. - 1971: GT750 motorcycle marketed.
- 1973: Suzuki Canada Ltd., opened in OntarioOntarioOntario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
, Canada. - 1974: P.T. Suzuki Indonesia Manufacturing established in JakartaJakartaJakarta is the capital and largest city of Indonesia. Officially known as the Special Capital Territory of Jakarta, it is located on the northwest coast of Java, has an area of , and a population of 9,580,000. Jakarta is the country's economic, cultural and political centre...
, Indonesia, entry into medical equipment field by marketing the Suzuki Motor Chair Z600 motorized wheelchairWheelchairA wheelchair is a chair with wheels, designed to be a replacement for walking. The device comes in variations where it is propelled by motors or by the seated occupant turning the rear wheels by hand. Often there are handles behind the seat for someone else to do the pushing...
, 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 ManilaManilaManila is the capital of the Philippines. It is one of the sixteen cities forming Metro Manila.Manila is located on the eastern shores of Manila Bay and is bordered by Navotas and Caloocan to the north, Quezon City to the northeast, San Juan and Mandaluyong to the east, Makati on the southeast,...
, the Philippines. - 1976: GS-Series motorcycles marketed.
- 1977: LJ80 4×4 vehicle marketed and exports of GS1000H motorcycle began.
- 1979: AltoSuzuki AltoThe Suzuki Alto is a small car designed by Suzuki. Its selling points include low price and good fuel economy. The model was introduced in 1979 and has been built in many countries worldwide.-1st generation :...
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 generatorElectrical generatorIn electricity generation, an electric generator is a device that converts mechanical energy to electrical energy. A generator forces electric charge to flow through an external electrical circuit. It is analogous to a water pump, which causes water to flow...
models. - 1981: Business ties with General MotorsGeneral MotorsGeneral Motors Company , commonly known as GM, formerly incorporated as General Motors Corporation, is an American multinational automotive corporation headquartered in Detroit, Michigan and the world's second-largest automaker in 2010...
(U.S.) and Isuzu Motors, Ltd.Isuzu, is a Japanese car, commercial vehicle and heavy truck manufacturing company, headquartered in Tokyo. In 2005, Isuzu became the world's largest manufacturer of medium to heavy duty trucks. It has assembly and manufacturing plants in the Japanese city of Fujisawa, as well as in the prefectures...
(Japan) signed. - 1982: 4×4 production began at PAK Suzuki Motor Co., Ltd. in KarachiKarachiKarachi is the largest city, main seaport and the main financial centre of Pakistan, as well as the capital of the province of Sindh. The city has an estimated population of 13 to 15 million, while the total metropolitan area has a population of over 18 million...
, Pakistan and won maker championship for 7th consecutive year at the World Road Race Grand Prix 500Grand Prix motorcycle racingRoad Racing World Championship Grand Prix is the premier championship of motorcycle road racing currently divided into three distinct classes: 125cc, Moto2 and MotoGP. The 125cc class uses a two-stroke engine while Moto2 and MotoGP use four-stroke engines. In 2010 the 250cc two-stroke was replaced...
. - 1982: SC100 Discontinued in favour of AltoSuzuki AltoThe Suzuki Alto is a small car designed by Suzuki. Its selling points include low price and good fuel economy. The model was introduced in 1979 and has been built in many countries worldwide.-1st generation :...
. - 1983: Enters into a partnership with Maruti Udyog Ltd. to produce cars in India.
- 1983: CultusSuzuki CultusThe Suzuki Cultus is a supermini first presented at the 25th Tokyo Motor Show, formally introduced to the Japanese domestic market in 1983 and ultimately manufactured in seven countries across three generations and marketed worldwide under more than a dozen nameplates — prominently as the Suzuki...
/SwiftSuzuki SwiftThe Suzuki Swift is a subcompact car produced by Suzuki in Japan since 2000. Prior to this, the "Swift" nameplate had been applied to the Suzuki Cultus in export markets such as Australasia, Europe, India and North America.- Predecessor :...
1.0-liter passenger car marketed and 4×4 production started at Maruti Udyog Ltd.Maruti UdyogMaruti Suzuki India Limited is a subsidiary company of Japanese automobile and motorcycle manufacturer Suzuki. The company offers a complete range of cars from entry level Maruti 800 and Alto, to hatchback Ritz, A-Star, Swift, Wagon-R, Estillo and sedans DZire, SX4, in the 'C' segment Maruti Eeco ...
in Gurgaon, Haryana, India. - 1984: Suzuki New Zealand Ltd. established in WanganuiWanganuiWhanganui , also spelled Wanganui, is an urban area and district on the west coast of the North Island of New Zealand. It is part of the Manawatu-Wanganui region....
, 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 HeppenheimHeppenheimHeppenheim is the seat of Bergstraße district in Hesse, Germany, lying on the Bergstraße on the edge of the Odenwald.- Location :...
, Germany. - 1985: SUZUKI of AMERICA AUTOMOTIVE CORP. established with the introduction of the Samurai, and the GSX-R750Suzuki GSX-R750The GSX-R750 is a 750 class sport bike motorcycle from Suzuki's GSX-R series of motorcycles. It was introduced in 1985 and can be considered to be the first of the modern racer-replicas with many race-derived technologies and the looks of a Suzuki Endurance racer at an affordable price.-Air-cooled...
motorcycle with an oil-cooled engine marketed and scooterScooter (motorcycle)A scooter is a motorcycle with step-through frame and a platform for the operator's feet. Elements of scooter design have been present in some of the earliest motorcycles, and motorcycles identifiable as scooters have been made from 1914 or earlier...
production started at Avello S.A. of Spain. Agreement with Santana MotorsSantana MotorsSantana Motor S.A. was a Spanish car manufacturer based in Linares, in the province of Jaén, Spain.-History:The company was founded as "Metalúrgica de Santa Ana, SA" and originally manufactured agricultural equipment...
to produce Suzuki cars in their Linares factory in AndalusiaAndalusiaAndalusia is the most populous and the second largest in area of the autonomous communities of Spain. The Andalusian autonomous community is officially recognised as a nationality of Spain. The territory is divided into eight provinces: Huelva, Seville, Cádiz, Córdoba, Málaga, Jaén, Granada and...
, Spain. - 1986: American Suzuki Motor Corp. is formed merging U.S. Suzuki Motor Corp and Suzuki of America Automotive Corp.
- 1987: CultusSuzuki CultusThe Suzuki Cultus is a supermini first presented at the 25th Tokyo Motor Show, formally introduced to the Japanese domestic market in 1983 and ultimately manufactured in seven countries across three generations and marketed worldwide under more than a dozen nameplates — prominently as the Suzuki...
/SwiftSuzuki SwiftThe Suzuki Swift is a subcompact car produced by Suzuki in Japan since 2000. Prior to this, the "Swift" nameplate had been applied to the Suzuki Cultus in export markets such as Australasia, Europe, India and North America.- Predecessor :...
production began in Colombia and total aggregateAggregate dataIn statistics, aggregate data describes data combined from several measurements.In economics, aggregate data or data aggregates describes high-level data that is composed of a multitude or combination of other more individual data....
car exports reached 2 million units. - 1988: EscudoSuzuki EscudoThe Suzuki Escudo is an off-road vehicle that has been in production since 1988...
/Vitara 4×4 marketed and total aggregateAggregate dataIn statistics, aggregate data describes data combined from several measurements.In economics, aggregate data or data aggregates describes high-level data that is composed of a multitude or combination of other more individual data....
car production reached 10 million units.. - 1989: CAMI Automotive Inc.CAMI AutomotiveCAMI Automotive, originally known as Canadian Automotive Manufacturing Inc., was an independently incorporated joint venture of automobile manufacturing in Ingersoll, Ontario, Canada and formed the third step of GM's three-pronged initiative of the mid-1980s to capture and practice the Japanese...
established and began operation in OntarioOntarioOntario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
, Canada. Swift GT/GLXSuzuki SwiftThe Suzuki Swift is a subcompact car produced by Suzuki in Japan since 2000. Prior to this, the "Swift" nameplate had been applied to the Suzuki Cultus in export markets such as Australasia, Europe, India and North America.- Predecessor :...
and Sidekick sales begin in the United States. - 1990: Corporate name changed to Suzuki Motor Corporation.
- 1991: Car production started in KoreaKoreaKorea ) is an East Asian geographic region that is currently divided into two separate sovereign states — North Korea and South Korea. Located on the Korean Peninsula, Korea is bordered by the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Russia to the northeast, and is separated from Japan to the...
through technical ties with DaewooDaewooDaewoo or the Daewoo Group was a major South Korean chaebol . It was founded on 22 March 1967 as Daewoo Industrial and was dismantled by the Korean government in 1999...
Shipbuilding & Heavy Machinery Ltd and CappuccinoSuzuki CappuccinoThe Suzuki Cappuccino is a small 2-door, 2-seater demountable hardtop roadster produced by Suzuki Motor Corporation. The vehicle was designed to meet Kei car specifications for lower tax and insurance in Japan. Weighing just , the Cappuccino is powered by a turbocharged, three-cylinder, 657 cc DOHC...
2-seater marketed. - 1993: Passenger car production/sales began at Suzuki EgyptEgyptEgypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
S.A.E., opening ceremony for new car production plant held at Magyar Suzuki Corp.Magyar SuzukiMagyar Suzuki Corporation, located in Esztergom, Hungary, and founded in 1991, is a automobile manufacturing plant, a subsidiary of Suzuki.Through the end of September, 2005, the plant had a cumulative production volume of 849,000: 465,000 Suzuki Swift through March, 2003, 187,000 Suzuki Wagon R+,...
in EsztergomEsztergomEsztergom , is a city in northern Hungary, 46 km north-west of the capital Budapest. It lies in Komárom-Esztergom county, on the right bank of the river Danube, which forms the border with Slovakia there....
, Hungary and Wagon RSuzuki Wagon RThe Suzuki Wagon R is a kei car first introduced in Japan in 1993, and is still in production by Suzuki. The R stands for Recreation. It is one of the first cars to use the "tall wagon or tall boy" design in which the car is designed to be unusually tall with a short bonnet and almost vertical...
passenger car marketed. - 1994: Maruti Udyog Ltd.Maruti UdyogMaruti Suzuki India Limited is a subsidiary company of Japanese automobile and motorcycle manufacturer Suzuki. The company offers a complete range of cars from entry level Maruti 800 and Alto, to hatchback Ritz, A-Star, Swift, Wagon-R, Estillo and sedans DZire, SX4, in the 'C' segment Maruti Eeco ...
of India total aggregateAggregate dataIn statistics, aggregate data describes data combined from several measurements.In economics, aggregate data or data aggregates describes high-level data that is composed of a multitude or combination of other more individual data....
car production reached 1 million units. - 1995: Total aggregateAggregate dataIn statistics, aggregate data describes data combined from several measurements.In economics, aggregate data or data aggregates describes high-level data that is composed of a multitude or combination of other more individual data....
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 ChicagoChicagoChicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
. - 1998: Suzuki and General MotorsGeneral MotorsGeneral Motors Company , commonly known as GM, formerly incorporated as General Motors Corporation, is an American multinational automotive corporation headquartered in Detroit, Michigan and the world's second-largest automaker in 2010...
form strategic alliance and ChongqingChongqingChongqing is a major city in Southwest China and one of the five national central cities of China. Administratively, it is one of the PRC's four direct-controlled municipalities , and the only such municipality in inland China.The municipality was created on 14 March 1997, succeeding the...
Chang'an SuzukiChang'an SuzukiChang'an Suzuki is a joint venture between Chang'an Motors and Suzuki Motors in Chongqing, China. Chang'an began assembling inexpensive commercial trucks under license from Suzuki Motors in 1990. Shortly after, in 1992, the two companies formed Chang'an Suzuki to built licensed versions of the...
Automobile Co., Ltd. received official approval from the Chinese governmentGovernment of the Republic of ChinaThe Republic of China was formally established by Dr. Sun Yat-sen in 1912 in Nanjing under the Provisional Constitution of the Republic of China but this government was moved to Beijing in the same year and continued as the internationally recognized government of China until 1928. In the history...
for production of passenger cars. - 1999: AggregateAggregate dataIn statistics, aggregate data describes data combined from several measurements.In economics, aggregate data or data aggregates describes high-level data that is composed of a multitude or combination of other more individual data....
motorcycle production reaches 40 million units and JiangxiJiangxi' is a southern province in the People's Republic of China. Spanning from the banks of the Yangtze River in the north into hillier areas in the south, it shares a border with Anhui to the north, Zhejiang to the northeast, Fujian to the east, Guangdong to the south, Hunan to the west, and Hubei to...
ChangheChangheJiangxi Changhe Automobile Co Ltd is a car-making company based in Jingdezhen, Jiangxi province, China.Currently owned by Chang'an Motors, Changhe is engaged in a joint venture with Suzuki Motor Corporation of Japan, and manufactures products that carry the Suzuki brand.Making passenger cars and...
Suzuki Automobile Co., Ltd. receives official approval from the Chinese government for production of commercial vehicles. - 2000: The company commemorates the 80th anniversary, aggregateAggregate dataIn statistics, aggregate data describes data combined from several measurements.In economics, aggregate data or data aggregates describes high-level data that is composed of a multitude or combination of other more individual data....
car production at KosaiKosai, Shizuokais a city located in far western Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan. As of 2010, the city has an estimated population of 60,582 and a density of 699 persons per km². The total area is 85.65 km².-Geography:...
Plant reaches 10 million units and Suzuki production starts at General MotorsGeneral MotorsGeneral Motors Company , commonly known as GM, formerly incorporated as General Motors Corporation, is an American multinational automotive corporation headquartered in Detroit, Michigan and the world's second-largest automaker in 2010...
de Argentina S.A. - 2001: AggregateAggregate dataIn statistics, aggregate data describes data combined from several measurements.In economics, aggregate data or data aggregates describes high-level data that is composed of a multitude or combination of other more individual data....
Launch of Suzuki Liana/Aerio. worldwide sales of Jimny/SJSuzuki JimnyThe Suzuki Jimny is a line of SUVs from Suzuki. The line started in 1968 and is still running.-History:The history of Suzuki four-wheel-drive cars dates to 1968. Suzuki bought former Japanese automaker Hope Motor Company which had introduced fifteen small off-road vehicles called the HopeStar...
reaches 2 million units, production of AltoSuzuki AltoThe Suzuki Alto is a small car designed by Suzuki. Its selling points include low price and good fuel economy. The model was introduced in 1979 and has been built in many countries worldwide.-1st generation :...
reaches 4 million units and Suzuki achieves "Zero-Level" target of landfillLandfillA landfill site , is a site for the disposal of waste materials by burial and is the oldest form of waste treatment...
waste - 2002: Achieved 30 million cumulative automobile sales for worldwide market and America's No.1 warranty: 100,000/7-year powertrain limited warranty.
- 2003: Suzuki is No.1 in Kei carKei carKei cars, K-cars, or , are a Japanese category of small vehicles, including passenger cars, vans, and pickup trucks. They are designed to comply with Japanese government tax and insurance regulations, and in most rural areas are exempted from the requirement to certify that adequate parking is...
sales for the 30th consecutive year and TwinSuzuki TwinThe Suzuki Twin was a kei car built by Suzuki and sold in Japan from January 22, 2003, until October 2005. It was available in both hybrid and non-hybrid versions, making it the first hybrid kei car available in Japan...
, the first hybrid Kei carKei carKei cars, K-cars, or , are a Japanese category of small vehicles, including passenger cars, vans, and pickup trucks. They are designed to comply with Japanese government tax and insurance regulations, and in most rural areas are exempted from the requirement to certify that adequate parking is...
in Japan, marketed. - 2004: AggregateAggregate dataIn statistics, aggregate data describes data combined from several measurements.In economics, aggregate data or data aggregates describes high-level data that is composed of a multitude or combination of other more individual data....
domestic automobile sales reach 15 million units. - 2005: SwiftSuzuki SwiftThe Suzuki Swift is a subcompact car produced by Suzuki in Japan since 2000. Prior to this, the "Swift" nameplate had been applied to the Suzuki Cultus in export markets such as Australasia, Europe, India and North America.- Predecessor :...
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%.
- 2008: GM divested its remaining 3% stake in Suzuki.
- 2009: Suzuki introduces its first production pickup truck called the Equator. Volkswagen AG and Suzuki reach a common understanding to establish a close long-term strategic partnership.
- 2010: Volkswagen AG completed the purchase of 19.9% of Suzuki's outstanding shares.
- 2011: On 4 July Suzuki Motor chairman will come to IndonesiaIndonesiaIndonesia , officially the Republic of Indonesia , is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia is an archipelago comprising approximately 13,000 islands. It has 33 provinces with over 238 million people, and is the world's fourth most populous country. Indonesia is a republic, with an...
to announce Indonesia as regional production base with investment up to $800 million over the next few years.
Maruti Suzuki
Gurgaon
Gurgaon is the second largest city in the Indian state of Haryana. Gurgaon is the industrial and financial center of Haryana. It is located 30 km south of national capital New Delhi, about 10 kilometers from Dwarka Sub City and 268 km south of Chandigarh, the state capital...
, India, Maruti Suzuki India Limited is Suzuki's largest and most valuable subsidiary with an annual production of 1,018,365 units in the fiscal 2009–2010. Suzuki has a 54.2% stake in the Indian auto giant and the rest is owned by the various Indian public and financial institutions. The company was incorporated in 1981 and is listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange
Bombay Stock Exchange
The Bombay Stock Exchange is a stock exchange located on Dalal Street, Mumbai and is the oldest stock exchange in Asia. The equity market capitalization of the companies listed on the BSE was 1.63 trillion as of December 2010, making it the 4th largest stock exchange in Asia and the 8th largest...
and National Stock Exchange of India
National Stock Exchange of India
The National Stock Exchange is a stock exchange located at Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. It is the 9th largest stock exchange in the world by market capitalization and largest in India by daily turnover and number of trades, for both equities and derivative trading. NSE has a market capitalization...
. In 2005–2006, the company had a 54% market share of the passenger car market in India. Nearly 75,000 people are employed directly by Maruti and its partners.
Maruti Suzuki was born as a Government of India
Government of India
The Government of India, officially known as the Union Government, and also known as the Central Government, was established by the Constitution of India, and is the governing authority of the union of 28 states and seven union territories, collectively called the Republic of India...
company, with Suzuki as a minor partner, to make a lower priced car for middle class India. Over the years, the product range has widened, ownership has changed hands and the customer has evolved.
Maruti Suzuki offers 14 models, ranging from India's one-time best selling car, Maruti 800
Maruti 800
Maruti 800 is a city car manufactured by Maruti Suzuki in India. It is a rebadged version of an old model of the Suzuki Alto. Over 2.5 million Maruti 800s have been sold since its launch in 1983...
, for less than INR
Indian rupee
The Indian rupee is the official currency of the Republic of India. The issuance of the currency is controlled by the Reserve Bank of India....
200,000 (US$ 5000) to the premium sedan Maruti Suzuki Kizashi and luxury SUV, Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara. Maruti 800 was the first model launched by the company in 1983 followed by mini-van Maruti Omni in 1984. Both models were huge success in their respective categories because of the use of high-end technology and good fuel efficiency. Maruti Gypsy
Maruti Gypsy
The Maruti Gypsy is a four wheel drive SUV based on the long wheelbase Suzuki Jimny SJ40/410 series vehicles.-History:It is manufactured in India by Maruti Suzuki. It was introduced in the Indian market in December 1985 with the 970 cc F10A Suzuki engine and while sales were never very high it...
, launched in 1985, came into widespread use with the Indian Army
Indian Army
The Indian Army is the land based branch and the largest component of the Indian Armed Forces. With about 1,100,000 soldiers in active service and about 1,150,000 reserve troops, the Indian Army is the world's largest standing volunteer army...
and Indian Police Service
Indian Police Service
The Indian Police Service , simply known as Indian Police or IPS, is one of the three All India Services of the Government of India...
becoming its primary customers. The short-lived Maruti 1000
Maruti 1000
The Maruti 1000, made by Maruti Udyog was the first ever contemporary sedan-type car launched in India. The car was introduced in October, 1990. Sold at Rs. 3.81 lakh, it was back then the costliest car released in the Indian market...
too achieved moderate success until it was replaced by Maruti Esteem in 1994, to counter increasing competition in the medium-sedan category.
Maruti Zen
Maruti Zen
The Maruti Zen is a 5-door hatchback produced and sold in India by Indian automaker Maruti Suzuki. It has acquired significant popularity in India since the nameplate was first introduced in 1993. The word "ZEN" is an acronym standing for Zero Engine Noise...
, launched in 1993, was the company's second compact car model and also became extremely popular in India because of its high performance. The company went on to launch another compact car Maruti Wagon-R followed by Maruti Baleno in 1999. However, with increasing competition from Tata
Tata Motors
Tata Motors Limited is an Indian multinational automotive corporation headquartered in Mumbai, India. Part of the Tata Group, it was formerly known as TELCO...
, Hyundai, Honda
Honda
is a Japanese public multinational corporation primarily known as a manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles.Honda has been the world's largest motorcycle manufacturer since 1959, as well as the world's largest manufacturer of internal combustion engines measured by volume, producing more than...
and Daewoo Motors
Daewoo Motors
The Daewoo Motors was a South Korean car maker established in 1978, part of the Daewoo Group. The company sold most of its assets in 2001 to General Motors after running into financial trouble. The commercial vehicles division was acquired by Tata Motors in 2004.-History:The company was first...
, Maruti was not able to achieve the same success with Baleno as it had with its earlier models. So it replaced Maruti Suzuki Baleno with the Suzuki SX4. Currently Suzuki SX4 is facing stiff competition from the Honda City
Honda City
The Honda City is a subcompact car manufactured by the Japanese manufacturer Honda since 1981. Originally made for the Japanese, European and Australasian markets, the City was retired without replacement in 1994...
.
In 2000, Maruti Alto was launched. The launch of Tata Indica
Tata Indica
The Tata Indica is a hatchback automobile range manufactured by Tata Motors of India. It is the first passenger car from Tata Motors and is also considered India's first indigenously developed passenger car. , more than 910,000 Indicas were produced. The annual sales of Indica has been as high as ...
and Hyundai Santro had affected Maruti's sales but Alto helped secure the company's position as the auto leader in India. It is currently the largest selling car in India. The Maruti models include Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara, launched in 2003, Maruti Versa, launched in 2004, Maruti Suzuki Swift
Suzuki Swift
The Suzuki Swift is a subcompact car produced by Suzuki in Japan since 2000. Prior to this, the "Swift" nameplate had been applied to the Suzuki Cultus in export markets such as Australasia, Europe, India and North America.- Predecessor :...
, launched in 2005, Maruti Zen Estilo and Maruti Suzuki SX4
Suzuki SX4
The Suzuki SX4 is a compact car developed by Japanese automaker Suzuki and sold by Suzuki and by Fiat and produced since 2006.-History:...
, launched in 2007. The Alto, Swift and SX4 are leaders in their respective segments in the Indian Market.
On 14 February, Maruti Suzuki India, a Suzuki subsidiary in India, announced that it achieved one million total accumulated production volume of the Alto. The Alto has reached the million units mark in just seven years and five months since its launch on September 2000. The last half of the million has come in a record 25 months. The Alto has been India's largest volume-selling car, every month, for the past 37 consecutive months. Its popularity has continued to grow since its launch, with customers attracted to its low price with fuel efficiency. With this the Alto became the third car in the Maruti Suzuki stable to cross the million units mark. Previously, the Maruti 800 and the Omni had exceeded the million units mark. Besides its success in India, over 152,000 Altos made at Maruti Suzuki were delivered internationally, enjoying good outcomes in Algeria and Chile.
Maruti Exports Limited is the subsidiary of Maruti Udyog Limited with its major focus on exports and it does not operate in the domestic Indian market. The first commercial consignment of 480 cars were sent to Hungary. By sending a consignment of 571 cars to the same country, Maruti crossed the benchmark of 3,000,000 cars. Since its inception export was one of the aspects the government has been keen to encourage. Every political party expected Maruti to earn foreign exchange. But compared to Hyundai Maruti Suzuki is poor on export front.
Other subsidiary companies of the Suzuki Motor Corporation, Japan in India are:
- SUZUKI POWERTRAIN INDIA LIMITED: Manufacturers engines for cars
- SUZUKI MOTORCYCLE INDIA PRIVATE LIMITED: Manufactures two wheelers under brand name 'Suzuki'. Its two wheeler models launched in India are 'GS 150R, Intruder, Hayabusa 1300 cc, 125 cc Access, 125 cc Motorcycle Zeus.
American Suzuki Motor Corp. history
American Suzuki headquarters is located in BreaBrea, California
Brea is a city in Orange County, California. The population, as of the 2010 Census was 39,282.The city began as a center of crude oil production, was later propelled by citrus production, and is now an important retail center because of the large Brea Mall and the recently redeveloped Brea Downtown...
, California. Through an agreement with General Motors, Suzuki began selling a version of their Suzuki Cultus
Suzuki Cultus
The Suzuki Cultus is a supermini first presented at the 25th Tokyo Motor Show, formally introduced to the Japanese domestic market in 1983 and ultimately manufactured in seven countries across three generations and marketed worldwide under more than a dozen nameplates — prominently as the Suzuki...
in the United States as the Chevrolet Sprint in 1985. This model was initially sold as a 3-door hatchback
Hatchback
A Hatchback is a car body style incorporating a shared passenger and cargo volume, with rearmost accessibility via a rear third or fifth door, typically a top-hinged liftgate—and features such as fold-down rear seats to enable flexibility within the shared passenger/cargo volume. As a two-box...
and would be Chevrolet's
Chevrolet
Chevrolet , also known as Chevy , is a brand of vehicle produced by General Motors Company . Founded by Louis Chevrolet and ousted GM founder William C. Durant on November 3, 1911, General Motors acquired Chevrolet in 1918...
smallest model.
Suzuki Jimny
The Suzuki Jimny is a line of SUVs from Suzuki. The line started in 1968 and is still running.-History:The history of Suzuki four-wheel-drive cars dates to 1968. Suzuki bought former Japanese automaker Hope Motor Company which had introduced fifteen small off-road vehicles called the HopeStar...
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
Convertible
A convertible is a type of automobile in which the roof can retract and fold away having windows which wind-down inside the doors, converting it from an enclosed to an open-air vehicle...
or hardtop
Hardtop
A hardtop is a term for a rigid, rather than canvas, automobile roof. It has been used in several contexts: detachable hardtops, retractable hardtop roofs, and the so-called pillarless hardtop body style....
and the company slogan was Never a Dull Moment. The Samurai was successful until Consumer Reports
Consumer Reports
Consumer Reports is an American magazine published monthly by Consumers Union since 1936. It publishes reviews and comparisons of consumer products and services based on reporting and results from its in-house testing laboratory. It also publishes cleaning and general buying guides...
alleged the Samurai of being susceptible to roll over in a 1988 test. This led to a much publicized 1996 lawsuit
Suzuki Samurai v Consumers Union
Suzuki of North America was embroiled in a lengthy lawsuit with Consumers Union, filed eight years after their magazine Consumer Reports gave a very unfavorable and much disputed review of the Suzuki Samurai, deeming the Samurai "not acceptable" in their ratings....
, not settled until 2004.
In 1989, American Suzuki introduced the Swift
Suzuki Swift
The Suzuki Swift is a subcompact car produced by Suzuki in Japan since 2000. Prior to this, the "Swift" nameplate had been applied to the Suzuki Cultus in export markets such as Australasia, Europe, India and North America.- Predecessor :...
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
Suzuki Escudo
The Suzuki Escudo is an off-road vehicle that has been in production since 1988...
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
Geo Tracker
The Chevrolet Tracker, formerly the Geo Tracker, is a mini SUV produced for Chevrolet and Geo by CAMI Automotive in Ingersoll, Ontario. Although appearing as a compact SUV, the Tracker was actually certified as a Light truck due to its off-road capabilities.-First generation: The Geo Tracker was a...
and were mostly produced in Ingersoll
Ingersoll, Ontario
Ingersoll is a town in Oxford County on the Thames River in southwestern Ontario, Canada. The nearest cities are Woodstock to the east and London to the west....
, Ontario, Canada by Suzuki and GM's joint venture, CAMI. The Swift GT/GTi and 4-door models were imported from Japan. Negative evaluations from Consumer Reports
Consumer Reports
Consumer Reports is an American magazine published monthly by Consumers Union since 1936. It publishes reviews and comparisons of consumer products and services based on reporting and results from its in-house testing laboratory. It also publishes cleaning and general buying guides...
of the Suzuki Samurai led to some temporary setbacks at American Suzuki as annual sales in the following years dropped to below 20,000 units.
In 1995, American Suzuki introduced the Esteem
Suzuki Esteem
The Suzuki Cultus Crescent is a compact car that was produced by Suzuki in Japan between 1995 and 2002, with South Asian production continuing until 2007. The Cultus Crescent was sold as such in Japan until May 1998, when it was renamed Suzuki Cultus due to the sales discontinuation of the previous...
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 Suzuki vehicles to be marketed in North America with dual front airbag
Airbag
An Airbag is a vehicle safety device. It is an occupant restraint consisting of a flexible envelope designed to inflate rapidly during an automobile collision, to prevent occupants from striking interior objects such as the steering wheel or a window...
s. A station wagon
Station wagon
A station wagon is a body style variant of a sedan/saloon with its roof extended rearward over a shared passenger/cargo volume with access at the back via a third or fifth door , instead of a trunk lid...
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
Suzuki X-90
The Suzuki X-90 was a small SUV sold from 1996 through 1998. It was related to the Suzuki Sidekick, but had extremely rounded styling, two doors, seating for two and T-section removable roof. It replaced the Samurai for the United States market....
and a revised Sidekick Sport model with dual airbags
Airbag
An Airbag is a vehicle safety device. It is an occupant restraint consisting of a flexible envelope designed to inflate rapidly during an automobile collision, to prevent occupants from striking interior objects such as the steering wheel or a window...
, a 120 hp 1.8 liter engine, 16 inch 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
Anti-lock braking system
An anti-lock braking system is a safety system that allows the wheels on a motor vehicle to continue interacting tractively with the road surface as directed by driver steering inputs while braking, preventing the wheels from locking up and therefore avoiding skidding.An ABS generally offers...
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.
The Swift was dropped from the model lineup in 2001 and the Esteem
Suzuki Esteem
The Suzuki Cultus Crescent is a compact car that was produced by Suzuki in Japan between 1995 and 2002, with South Asian production continuing until 2007. The Cultus Crescent was sold as such in Japan until May 1998, when it was renamed Suzuki Cultus due to the sales discontinuation of the previous...
was replaced in 2002 by the new Aerio
Suzuki Aerio
The Suzuki Aerio is a compact car that was built by Suzuki Motor Corporation. It was introduced in 2001 as a replacement for the Suzuki Esteem/Baleno, with a tall 5-door SX model hatchback and a 4-door sedan body...
, which was offered as a 4-door sedan and 5-door crossover
Crossover SUV
A crossover SUV is a vehicle built on a car platform and combining, in highly variable degrees, features of a sport utility vehicle with features from a passenger vehicle, especially those of a station wagon or hatchback.Using the unibody construction typical of passenger vehicles, the crossover...
with 4-wheel-drive as an option.
In 2004, General Motors and Suzuki jointly purchased the bankrupt Daewoo Motors
GM Daewoo
GM Korea Company is South Korea's second largest automobile manufacturer and is a division of the General Motors Company. GM Korea's roots go back to the former Daewoo which was split from its parent company, Daewoo Group, in 2001...
renaming the venture GMDAT. American Suzuki rebadged the compact Daewoo Nubira
Daewoo Nubira
The Daewoo Nubira is a compact car produced by South Korean automaker Daewoo Motors from 1997 to 2008.The first generation car, model J100, was released to the market in 1997 as Daewoo Nubira, and it was sold until 1999. It was developed as a replacement for the GM T platform-based Daewoo Nexia and...
/Daewoo Lacetti
Daewoo Lacetti
The Daewoo Lacetti is a compact car made by the South Korean automaker GM Daewoo since 2002. The first-generation Lacetti was available as a four-door sedan, a five-door hatchback or a five-door station wagon. The sedan and wagon were designed by Pininfarina, and the hatchback by Giorgetto Giugiaro...
as the Forenza and the mid-size Daewoo Magnus
Daewoo Magnus
The Daewoo Magnus is a mid-size sedan developed and manufactured by Daewoo Motors until its purchase by General Motors, and now built for GM Daewoo Auto & Technology by Daewoo Incheon Motor Company at its Bupyeong facility in South Korea. GM Daewoo and other GM divisions, as well as GMDAT stake...
as the Verona. The Forenza gained station wagon
Station wagon
A station wagon is a body style variant of a sedan/saloon with its roof extended rearward over a shared passenger/cargo volume with access at the back via a third or fifth door , instead of a trunk lid...
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
Suzuki SX4
The Suzuki SX4 is a compact car developed by Japanese automaker Suzuki and sold by Suzuki and by Fiat and produced since 2006.-History:...
and Suzuki XL7 in 2007. The Suzuki SX4
Suzuki SX4
The Suzuki SX4 is a compact car developed by Japanese automaker Suzuki and sold by Suzuki and by Fiat and produced since 2006.-History:...
is produced as a joint venture with Fiat and the XL7 (notice the shortening of the name from Grand Vitara XL-7) was produced as a joint venture with GM at CAMI Automotive Inc. in Ingersoll. Suzuki put XL7 production on indefinite hiatus in mid-2009 due to low demand and subsequently sold off its share of CAMI back to GM later that year.
Despite a difficult domestic US automarket, Suzuki has been keeping pace with its 2007 sales numbers including recording their best May ever in May 2008.
In 2009, Suzuki sales dropped 48.5%, after sales fell 17% in 2008. Suzuki did not import any 2010 model year street motorcycles into the US, with dealers instead relying on unsold stock from the 2009 model year. New street motorcycle models to the US resumed for the 2011 model year.
Pakistani Suzuki Motor Company Limited
Following the terms of the Joint Venture Agreement between Suzuki Motor Corporation of Japan (SMC) and Pakistan Automobile Corporation (PACO), Pak Suzuki Motor Company Limited (PSMCL)Paksuzuki
Pak Suzuki Motor Company. is a company assembling and distributing Suzuki Japan's cars in Pakistan. Currently it is the largest car assembler in Pakistan.- History :...
was incorporated as a public limited company in August 1983.
The new company assumed the assets including production facilities of Awami Autos Limited. PSMCL started commercial operations in January 1984 with the primary objective of passenger cars, pick ups, vans and 4x4 vehicles.
The groundbreaking ceremony of the company’s green field automobile plant at Bin Qasim was performed by the then Prime Minister of Pakistan in early 1989.
On completion of first phase of this plant in early 1990, in-house assembly Suzuki engines started. The new plant was completed in 1992, and Suzuki production was transferred to new plant – and three-box
Three-box styling
Three-box design is a broad automotive styling term describing a coupé, sedan, notchback or hatchback where — when viewed in profile — principal volumes are articulated into three separate compartments or boxes: engine, passenger and cargo....
1,300 cc Margalla car was also added to its range of production.
In September 1992 the company was privatized and placed directly under the Japanese Management. At the time of privatization SMC increased its equity from 25% to 40% Subsequently, SMC progressively increased its equity to 73.09% by 31 December 2001.
The Bin Qasim Plant further expanded its production capacity to 50,000 vehicles per year in July 1994 and 300,000 vehicles had been manufactured at this plant by December 2003.
Paksuzuki currently exports its cars to countries like Bangladesh, Ghana, Nigeria & Maldives.
Suzuki Canada Inc. history
- 1973 – 1 June, Suzuki Canada Ltd. was incorporated with offices at Downsview, Ontario. Product lines included motorcycles, parts and accessories to Suzuki dealers throughout Canada.
- 1974 – VancouverVancouverVancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
branch office and warehouse inaugurated to service dealers in western Canada. - 1980 – Autumn – Suzuki Canada began its automotive sales with the marketing and sales of four-wheel-LJ80 in eastern Canada. 1 November, the name of company changed from Suzuki Canada Ltd. to Suzuki Canada Inc.
- 1982 – Introduction of a line of Suzuki all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) in Canada.
- 1983 – Introduction of a line of Suzuki outboard motors in western Canada. 1 February 1983 – Western Branch moved to enlarged facilities in RichmondRichmond, British ColumbiaRichmond is a coastal city, incorporated in the Canadian province of British Columbia. Part of Metro Vancouver, its neighbouring communities are Vancouver and Burnaby to the north, New Westminster to the east, and Delta to the south, while the Strait of Georgia forms its western border...
, British Columbia. - 1984 – Began the sales of 'Suzuki Forsa' (Suzuki CultusSuzuki CultusThe Suzuki Cultus is a supermini first presented at the 25th Tokyo Motor Show, formally introduced to the Japanese domestic market in 1983 and ultimately manufactured in seven countries across three generations and marketed worldwide under more than a dozen nameplates — prominently as the Suzuki...
) automobile. - 1986 – A $600 million Suzuki-GM joint venture CAMI Automotive Inc. announced for the manufacturing of vehicles. Production was set to begin in 1989 at IngersollIngersoll, OntarioIngersoll is a town in Oxford County on the Thames River in southwestern Ontario, Canada. The nearest cities are Woodstock to the east and London to the west....
, Ontario. - 1987 – 25 January – Suzuki Canada Inc. moved to a new 110000 sq ft (10,219.3 m²). head office and warehouse facility at Richmond HillRichmond Hill, OntarioRichmond Hill is a town located in Southern Ontario, Canada in the central portion of York Region, Ontario. It is part of the Greater Toronto Area, being located about halfway between Toronto and Lake Simcoe...
, Ontario. - 1988 – Autumn – Suzuki began selling the CAMI-built 2-door Suzuki SidekickSuzuki EscudoThe Suzuki Escudo is an off-road vehicle that has been in production since 1988...
. - 2009 – Autumn – Suzuki sold its participation in CAMI to GM
OEM deals
Since 1985, Suzuki has shared or produced automobiles for other manufacturers around the world.General Motors
General Motors
General Motors Company , commonly known as GM, formerly incorporated as General Motors Corporation, is an American multinational automotive corporation headquartered in Detroit, Michigan and the world's second-largest automaker in 2010...
- Chevrolet Sprint – United States/Canada (Suzuki CultusSuzuki CultusThe Suzuki Cultus is a supermini first presented at the 25th Tokyo Motor Show, formally introduced to the Japanese domestic market in 1983 and ultimately manufactured in seven countries across three generations and marketed worldwide under more than a dozen nameplates — prominently as the Suzuki...
) - Pontiac Firefly – Canada (Suzuki CultusSuzuki CultusThe Suzuki Cultus is a supermini first presented at the 25th Tokyo Motor Show, formally introduced to the Japanese domestic market in 1983 and ultimately manufactured in seven countries across three generations and marketed worldwide under more than a dozen nameplates — prominently as the Suzuki...
) - Geo Metro – United States (Suzuki CultusSuzuki CultusThe Suzuki Cultus is a supermini first presented at the 25th Tokyo Motor Show, formally introduced to the Japanese domestic market in 1983 and ultimately manufactured in seven countries across three generations and marketed worldwide under more than a dozen nameplates — prominently as the Suzuki...
) - Holden BarinaHolden BarinaThe Holden Barina is a subcompact automobile sold since 1985 by Holden, the Australian arm of General Motors . Each of the five generations have been badge-engineered versions of GM vehicles: Suzuki Cultus, Opel Corsa, and Daewoo Kalos....
– Australia & New Zealand (Suzuki CultusSuzuki CultusThe Suzuki Cultus is a supermini first presented at the 25th Tokyo Motor Show, formally introduced to the Japanese domestic market in 1983 and ultimately manufactured in seven countries across three generations and marketed worldwide under more than a dozen nameplates — prominently as the Suzuki...
) - Chevrolet SwiftSuzuki CultusThe Suzuki Cultus is a supermini first presented at the 25th Tokyo Motor Show, formally introduced to the Japanese domestic market in 1983 and ultimately manufactured in seven countries across three generations and marketed worldwide under more than a dozen nameplates — prominently as the Suzuki...
– South America (Suzuki CultusSuzuki CultusThe Suzuki Cultus is a supermini first presented at the 25th Tokyo Motor Show, formally introduced to the Japanese domestic market in 1983 and ultimately manufactured in seven countries across three generations and marketed worldwide under more than a dozen nameplates — prominently as the Suzuki...
) - Chevrolet CruzeChevrolet CruzeThe Chevrolet Cruze is a General Motors automobile, spanning two unrelated models. The original iteration, a subcompact crossover SUV, was manufactured by Suzuki in Japan between 2001 and 2008 under joint venture with GM...
– Japan (Suzuki IgnisSuzuki IgnisThe Suzuki Ignis is a subcompact car that was produced by Suzuki between 2000 and 2008, replacing the Suzuki Cultus. The Cultus retailed under various names globally, notably as the Suzuki Swift...
) - Holden CruzeChevrolet CruzeThe Chevrolet Cruze is a General Motors automobile, spanning two unrelated models. The original iteration, a subcompact crossover SUV, was manufactured by Suzuki in Japan between 2001 and 2008 under joint venture with GM...
– Australia (Suzuki IgnisSuzuki IgnisThe Suzuki Ignis is a subcompact car that was produced by Suzuki between 2000 and 2008, replacing the Suzuki Cultus. The Cultus retailed under various names globally, notably as the Suzuki Swift...
) - Chevrolet MW – Japan (Suzuki Wagon RSuzuki Wagon RThe Suzuki Wagon R is a kei car first introduced in Japan in 1993, and is still in production by Suzuki. The R stands for Recreation. It is one of the first cars to use the "tall wagon or tall boy" design in which the car is designed to be unusually tall with a short bonnet and almost vertical...
) - Bedford RascalBedford RascalThe Bedford Rascal , also built as the Suzuki Supercarry is a microvan that was developed as a joint venture between General Motors and Suzuki. It was sold under GM's British-based Bedford marque as well as in Suzuki form...
– Europe (Suzuki CarrySuzuki CarryThe Suzuki Carry is a kei truck produced by the Japanese automaker Suzuki. The microvan version was originally called the Carry van until 1982 when the van was renamed as the '...
) - Bedford RascalBedford RascalThe Bedford Rascal , also built as the Suzuki Supercarry is a microvan that was developed as a joint venture between General Motors and Suzuki. It was sold under GM's British-based Bedford marque as well as in Suzuki form...
– United Kingdom (Suzuki CarrySuzuki CarryThe Suzuki Carry is a kei truck produced by the Japanese automaker Suzuki. The microvan version was originally called the Carry van until 1982 when the van was renamed as the '...
) - Holden ScurrySuzuki CarryThe Suzuki Carry is a kei truck produced by the Japanese automaker Suzuki. The microvan version was originally called the Carry van until 1982 when the van was renamed as the '...
– Australia (Suzuki CarrySuzuki CarryThe Suzuki Carry is a kei truck produced by the Japanese automaker Suzuki. The microvan version was originally called the Carry van until 1982 when the van was renamed as the '...
) - Chevrolet SupercarrySuzuki CarryThe Suzuki Carry is a kei truck produced by the Japanese automaker Suzuki. The microvan version was originally called the Carry van until 1982 when the van was renamed as the '...
– South America (Suzuki CarrySuzuki CarryThe Suzuki Carry is a kei truck produced by the Japanese automaker Suzuki. The microvan version was originally called the Carry van until 1982 when the van was renamed as the '...
) - Geo TrackerGeo TrackerThe Chevrolet Tracker, formerly the Geo Tracker, is a mini SUV produced for Chevrolet and Geo by CAMI Automotive in Ingersoll, Ontario. Although appearing as a compact SUV, the Tracker was actually certified as a Light truck due to its off-road capabilities.-First generation: The Geo Tracker was a...
– United States (Sidekick/Vitara) - Chevrolet Tracker – United States/Canada (Sidekick/Vitara)
- GMC TrackerGeo TrackerThe Chevrolet Tracker, formerly the Geo Tracker, is a mini SUV produced for Chevrolet and Geo by CAMI Automotive in Ingersoll, Ontario. Although appearing as a compact SUV, the Tracker was actually certified as a Light truck due to its off-road capabilities.-First generation: The Geo Tracker was a...
– Canada (Sidekick/Vitara) - Asüna SunrunnerGeo TrackerThe Chevrolet Tracker, formerly the Geo Tracker, is a mini SUV produced for Chevrolet and Geo by CAMI Automotive in Ingersoll, Ontario. Although appearing as a compact SUV, the Tracker was actually certified as a Light truck due to its off-road capabilities.-First generation: The Geo Tracker was a...
– Canada (Sidekick/Vitara) - Pontiac SunrunnerGeo TrackerThe Chevrolet Tracker, formerly the Geo Tracker, is a mini SUV produced for Chevrolet and Geo by CAMI Automotive in Ingersoll, Ontario. Although appearing as a compact SUV, the Tracker was actually certified as a Light truck due to its off-road capabilities.-First generation: The Geo Tracker was a...
– Canada (Sidekick/Vitara) - Chevrolet VitaraGeo TrackerThe Chevrolet Tracker, formerly the Geo Tracker, is a mini SUV produced for Chevrolet and Geo by CAMI Automotive in Ingersoll, Ontario. Although appearing as a compact SUV, the Tracker was actually certified as a Light truck due to its off-road capabilities.-First generation: The Geo Tracker was a...
– South America (Sidekick/Vitara) - Chevrolet Grand NomadSuzuki XL-7-First generation:The first-generation XL-7 was a Suzuki design and was essentially a stretched Grand Vitara. It had a Suzuki-designed 2.7 liter V6 on a rear wheel drive-based platform with optional four wheel drive. When introduced, the XL-7 was the least expensive SUV available with 3-row seating...
– South America (Suzuki XL7) - Holden Drover – Australia & New Zealand (Suzuki Sierra/JimnySuzuki JimnyThe Suzuki Jimny is a line of SUVs from Suzuki. The line started in 1968 and is still running.-History:The history of Suzuki four-wheel-drive cars dates to 1968. Suzuki bought former Japanese automaker Hope Motor Company which had introduced fifteen small off-road vehicles called the HopeStar...
) - Opel AgilaOpel AgilaThe Opel Agila is a city car marketed since 2000 by German automaker Opel as a rebadged variant of the Suzuki Wagon R and Suzuki Splash manufactured by Magyar Suzuki. The same vehicle is rebadged as a Vauxhall in the United Kingdom....
– Europe (Suzuki Wagon RSuzuki Wagon RThe Suzuki Wagon R is a kei car first introduced in Japan in 1993, and is still in production by Suzuki. The R stands for Recreation. It is one of the first cars to use the "tall wagon or tall boy" design in which the car is designed to be unusually tall with a short bonnet and almost vertical...
and Suzuki SplashSuzuki SplashThe Suzuki Splash is a city car introduced in model year 2008 and jointly developed between Suzuki Motor Corporation and Opel/Vauxhall — which will also market their version as the Agila. It debuted as a concept car at the 2006 Paris Auto Show and the production model debuted at the 2007...
) - Chevrolet MWSuzuki Wagon RThe Suzuki Wagon R is a kei car first introduced in Japan in 1993, and is still in production by Suzuki. The R stands for Recreation. It is one of the first cars to use the "tall wagon or tall boy" design in which the car is designed to be unusually tall with a short bonnet and almost vertical...
– Japan (Suzuki Wagon RSuzuki Wagon RThe Suzuki Wagon R is a kei car first introduced in Japan in 1993, and is still in production by Suzuki. The R stands for Recreation. It is one of the first cars to use the "tall wagon or tall boy" design in which the car is designed to be unusually tall with a short bonnet and almost vertical...
) - Vauxhall AgilaOpel AgilaThe Opel Agila is a city car marketed since 2000 by German automaker Opel as a rebadged variant of the Suzuki Wagon R and Suzuki Splash manufactured by Magyar Suzuki. The same vehicle is rebadged as a Vauxhall in the United Kingdom....
– United Kingdom (Suzuki Wagon RSuzuki Wagon RThe Suzuki Wagon R is a kei car first introduced in Japan in 1993, and is still in production by Suzuki. The R stands for Recreation. It is one of the first cars to use the "tall wagon or tall boy" design in which the car is designed to be unusually tall with a short bonnet and almost vertical...
and Suzuki SplashSuzuki SplashThe Suzuki Splash is a city car introduced in model year 2008 and jointly developed between Suzuki Motor Corporation and Opel/Vauxhall — which will also market their version as the Agila. It debuted as a concept car at the 2006 Paris Auto Show and the production model debuted at the 2007...
)
Fiat
Fiat
FIAT, an acronym for Fabbrica Italiana Automobili Torino , is an Italian automobile manufacturer, engine manufacturer, financial, and industrial group based in Turin in the Italian region of Piedmont. Fiat was founded in 1899 by a group of investors including Giovanni Agnelli...
- Fiat SediciFiat SediciThe Fiat Sedici is a mini sport utility vehicle co-developed by Fiat and Suzuki mainly for the European market.-History:It was introduced at the 2006 Geneva Motor Show, and is built at the Magyar Suzuki plant in Hungary. The expected production volume is 60,000 units per year, 1/3 of these to be...
– Europe (Suzuki SX4Suzuki SX4The Suzuki SX4 is a compact car developed by Japanese automaker Suzuki and sold by Suzuki and by Fiat and produced since 2006.-History:...
)
Subaru
Subaru
; is the automobile manufacturing division of Japanese transportation conglomerate Fuji Heavy Industries .Subaru is internationally known for their use of the boxer engine layout popularized in cars by the Volkswagen Beetle and Porsche 911, in most of their vehicles above 1500 cc as well as...
- Subaru JustySubaru JustyThe Subaru Justy is a subcompact hatchback that has been sold by Japanese automobile manufacturer Subaru since 1984. From 1984–1994 Subaru manufactured the Justy itself; since then it has sold a rebadged version of other vehicles under the Justy nameplate...
– Europe (Suzuki SwiftSuzuki SwiftThe Suzuki Swift is a subcompact car produced by Suzuki in Japan since 2000. Prior to this, the "Swift" nameplate had been applied to the Suzuki Cultus in export markets such as Australasia, Europe, India and North America.- Predecessor :...
)
Mazda
Mazda
is a Japanese automotive manufacturer based in Fuchū, Aki District, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan.In 2007, Mazda produced almost 1.3 million vehicles for global sales...
- Mazda Proceed Levante – Japan (Suzuki Vitara)
- Mazda CarolMazda CarolThe Mazda Carol is a name used by Mazda for its kei cars from 1962 until 1970. It was revived again with Mazda's 1989 reentry into the Kei car class.-Carol :...
– Japan (Suzuki AltoSuzuki AltoThe Suzuki Alto is a small car designed by Suzuki. Its selling points include low price and good fuel economy. The model was introduced in 1979 and has been built in many countries worldwide.-1st generation :...
) - Autozam AZ-1Autozam AZ-1The Autozam AZ-1, known as the framecode PG6SA, is a mid-engined two-seat sports coupé kei car, designed and manufactured by Suzuki but sold by Mazda under its Autozam brand. It debuted in October 1992 until production ceased in 1994, and was perhaps most noted for its gullwing doors...
– Japan (Suzuki CaraAutozam AZ-1The Autozam AZ-1, known as the framecode PG6SA, is a mid-engined two-seat sports coupé kei car, designed and manufactured by Suzuki but sold by Mazda under its Autozam brand. It debuted in October 1992 until production ceased in 1994, and was perhaps most noted for its gullwing doors...
) - Autozam ScrumAutozam ScrumThe Autozam Scrum is a kei class microvan and pickup truck sold in Japan by Mazda. Originally part of the company's Autozam marque it was first introduced in June 1989 . Mazda still sells the Scrum under its own name. The Scrum is a re-badged version of the Suzuki Carry and used Suzuki engines...
– Japan (Suzuki Every) - Autozam AZ-WagonSuzuki MR WagonThe Suzuki MR Wagon is a kei car with a mini MPV body, seating four, manufactured by Suzuki for the Japanese market only, and also marketed in Japan by Nissan as the Nissan Moco under an OEM agreement. The model debuted in 2001, and since 2007 it has been in its second generation...
– Japan (Suzuki MR WagonSuzuki MR WagonThe Suzuki MR Wagon is a kei car with a mini MPV body, seating four, manufactured by Suzuki for the Japanese market only, and also marketed in Japan by Nissan as the Nissan Moco under an OEM agreement. The model debuted in 2001, and since 2007 it has been in its second generation...
) - Mazda AZ-OffroadMazda AZ-OffroadThe Mazda AZ-Offroad is a mini SUV, a rebadged Suzuki Jimny. The AZ in the name refers to Autozam, Mazda's ill-fated small car marque. The AZ-Offroad was introduced in October, 1998 as a 1999 model. The engine is a turbocharged 660 cc DOHC Suzuki K6A. All wheel drive is standard and an...
– Japan (Suzuki Jimny) - Mazda Spiano – Japan (Suzuki Lapin)
- Mazda LaputaMazda LaputaThe Mazda Laputa is a clone of the aptly named Suzuki Kei. It was a kei car from Mazda in Japan. The Laputa was introduced in 1999 as a sort of SUV/kei car mix. The Laputa was restyled slightly for 2001 and was retired in 2006. The Laputa was available with front- or all wheel drive and as a...
– Japan (Suzuki KeiSuzuki KeiThe Suzuki Kei is a kei car produced by Suzuki between 1998 and 2009.From 1999 to 2006, Suzuki produced the Mazda Laputa, an OEM version of the Suzuki Kei....
)
Nissan
- Nissan Moco – Japan (Suzuki MR WagonSuzuki MR WagonThe Suzuki MR Wagon is a kei car with a mini MPV body, seating four, manufactured by Suzuki for the Japanese market only, and also marketed in Japan by Nissan as the Nissan Moco under an OEM agreement. The model debuted in 2001, and since 2007 it has been in its second generation...
) - Nissan PinoNissan PinoThe Nissan Pino is a kei car produced by Nissan from 2007-2010, an OEM version of the Suzuki Alto 6th generation....
– Japan (Suzuki AltoSuzuki AltoThe Suzuki Alto is a small car designed by Suzuki. Its selling points include low price and good fuel economy. The model was introduced in 1979 and has been built in many countries worldwide.-1st generation :...
) - Nissan Roox – Japan (Suzuki PaletteSuzuki PaletteThe Suzuki Palette is a kei car produced by Suzuki since January 2008. The Suzuki Palette has twin sliding rear doors, and competes directly with the Daihatsu Tanto. During 2009 the higher spec Suzuki Palette S models were replaced by the Suzuki Palette SW, whose revised frontal design is...
)
Maruti Suzuki
- Maruti 800Maruti 800Maruti 800 is a city car manufactured by Maruti Suzuki in India. It is a rebadged version of an old model of the Suzuki Alto. Over 2.5 million Maruti 800s have been sold since its launch in 1983...
– India (Suzuki AltoSuzuki AltoThe Suzuki Alto is a small car designed by Suzuki. Its selling points include low price and good fuel economy. The model was introduced in 1979 and has been built in many countries worldwide.-1st generation :...
) - Maruti Omni – India (Suzuki CarrySuzuki CarryThe Suzuki Carry is a kei truck produced by the Japanese automaker Suzuki. The microvan version was originally called the Carry van until 1982 when the van was renamed as the '...
) - Maruti GypsyMaruti GypsyThe Maruti Gypsy is a four wheel drive SUV based on the long wheelbase Suzuki Jimny SJ40/410 series vehicles.-History:It is manufactured in India by Maruti Suzuki. It was introduced in the Indian market in December 1985 with the 970 cc F10A Suzuki engine and while sales were never very high it...
– India (Suzuki Jimny) - Maruti 1000Maruti 1000The Maruti 1000, made by Maruti Udyog was the first ever contemporary sedan-type car launched in India. The car was introduced in October, 1990. Sold at Rs. 3.81 lakh, it was back then the costliest car released in the Indian market...
– India (Suzuki CultusSuzuki CultusThe Suzuki Cultus is a supermini first presented at the 25th Tokyo Motor Show, formally introduced to the Japanese domestic market in 1983 and ultimately manufactured in seven countries across three generations and marketed worldwide under more than a dozen nameplates — prominently as the Suzuki...
) - Maruti ZenMaruti ZenThe Maruti Zen is a 5-door hatchback produced and sold in India by Indian automaker Maruti Suzuki. It has acquired significant popularity in India since the nameplate was first introduced in 1993. The word "ZEN" is an acronym standing for Zero Engine Noise...
– India (Suzuki AltoSuzuki AltoThe Suzuki Alto is a small car designed by Suzuki. Its selling points include low price and good fuel economy. The model was introduced in 1979 and has been built in many countries worldwide.-1st generation :...
)
- All Maruti models since the Zen are referred to as Maruti Suzuki.
Volkswagen
Volkswagen
Volkswagen is a German automobile manufacturer and is the original and biggest-selling marque of the Volkswagen Group, which now also owns the Audi, Bentley, Bugatti, Lamborghini, SEAT, and Škoda marques and the truck manufacturer Scania.Volkswagen means "people's car" in German, where it is...
- Volkswagen Rocktan (Suzuki SX4Suzuki SX4The Suzuki SX4 is a compact car developed by Japanese automaker Suzuki and sold by Suzuki and by Fiat and produced since 2006.-History:...
) – currently in development.
Mitsubishi Motors
Mitsubishi Motors
is a multinational automaker headquartered in Minato, Tokyo. In 2009 it was the fifth-largest Japan-based automaker and the 17th-largest in the world measured by production...
- Mitsubishi Colt T120SS – Indonesia (Suzuki CarrySuzuki CarryThe Suzuki Carry is a kei truck produced by the Japanese automaker Suzuki. The microvan version was originally called the Carry van until 1982 when the van was renamed as the '...
) - Mitsubishi MavenMitsubishi MavenThe Mitsubishi Maven is an MPV sold by Mitsubishi Motors in Indonesia since September 15, 2005. It is a rebadged Suzuki APV with minor exterior cosmetic changes, and is built locally by a subsidiary of Suzuki Motor Corporation....
– Indonesia (Suzuki APVSuzuki APVSuzuki APV is Suzuki's budget MPV designed in Japan and assembled in Indonesia by PT. Indomobil Suzuki International ....
)
Automobiles
- Suzuki models
- Aerio/LianaSuzuki AerioThe Suzuki Aerio is a compact car that was built by Suzuki Motor Corporation. It was introduced in 2001 as a replacement for the Suzuki Esteem/Baleno, with a tall 5-door SX model hatchback and a 4-door sedan body...
- AltoSuzuki AltoThe Suzuki Alto is a small car designed by Suzuki. Its selling points include low price and good fuel economy. The model was introduced in 1979 and has been built in many countries worldwide.-1st generation :...
- Alto LapinSuzuki Alto LapinThe Suzuki Alto Lapin is a retro-styled Kei car with a 5-door hatchback body, manufactured since 2002 by Suzuki for the Japanese market only, and also marketed in Japan only by Mazda as Mazda Spiano under an OEM agreement under their Autozam marque...
- APVSuzuki APVSuzuki APV is Suzuki's budget MPV designed in Japan and assembled in Indonesia by PT. Indomobil Suzuki International ....
- CappuccinoSuzuki CappuccinoThe Suzuki Cappuccino is a small 2-door, 2-seater demountable hardtop roadster produced by Suzuki Motor Corporation. The vehicle was designed to meet Kei car specifications for lower tax and insurance in Japan. Weighing just , the Cappuccino is powered by a turbocharged, three-cylinder, 657 cc DOHC...
- CarrySuzuki CarryThe Suzuki Carry is a kei truck produced by the Japanese automaker Suzuki. The microvan version was originally called the Carry van until 1982 when the van was renamed as the '...
- CervoSuzuki CervoSuzuki was the first company to offer a kei car in 1955. One interesting departure from other Kei cars was the Fronte Coupé introduced in September 1971. It was a 2+2 Giugiaro-designed mini GT based on the rear-engine Suzuki Fronte, measuring a mere 2995 mm...
- Suzuki CultusSuzuki CultusThe Suzuki Cultus is a supermini first presented at the 25th Tokyo Motor Show, formally introduced to the Japanese domestic market in 1983 and ultimately manufactured in seven countries across three generations and marketed worldwide under more than a dozen nameplates — prominently as the Suzuki...
(aka Suzuki Forsa, Suzuki Swift, Geo Metro, Pontiac Firefly, et al.) - EscudoSuzuki EscudoThe Suzuki Escudo is an off-road vehicle that has been in production since 1988...
- Suzuki EquatorSuzuki EquatorThe Suzuki Equator is a mid-size pickup truck based on the Nissan Frontier and assembled by Nissan. The Suzuki Equator is first sold in the US for the 2009 model year with MSRP prices starting at $17,220, and was first shown at the 2008 Chicago Auto Show....
- EsteemSuzuki EsteemThe Suzuki Cultus Crescent is a compact car that was produced by Suzuki in Japan between 1995 and 2002, with South Asian production continuing until 2007. The Cultus Crescent was sold as such in Japan until May 1998, when it was renamed Suzuki Cultus due to the sales discontinuation of the previous...
/Cultus Crescent - FronteSuzuki FronteThe Fronte automobile was first introduced in March 1962 as a sedan version of the Suzulight Van. The nameplate remained in use for Suzuki's Kei car sedans until replaced by the Alto name in September 1988....
- Grand Vitara
- IgnisSuzuki IgnisThe Suzuki Ignis is a subcompact car that was produced by Suzuki between 2000 and 2008, replacing the Suzuki Cultus. The Cultus retailed under various names globally, notably as the Suzuki Swift...
- JimnySuzuki JimnyThe Suzuki Jimny is a line of SUVs from Suzuki. The line started in 1968 and is still running.-History:The history of Suzuki four-wheel-drive cars dates to 1968. Suzuki bought former Japanese automaker Hope Motor Company which had introduced fifteen small off-road vehicles called the HopeStar...
- KeiSuzuki KeiThe Suzuki Kei is a kei car produced by Suzuki between 1998 and 2009.From 1999 to 2006, Suzuki produced the Mazda Laputa, an OEM version of the Suzuki Kei....
- KizashiSuzuki KizashiThe Suzuki Kizashi is a mid-size car, unveiled in the United States on July 30, 2009. The Kizashi went on sale in Japan on October 21, 2009, in North America on December 1, 2009, and in Australia and New Zealand on May 11, 2010. The Kizashi is the first mid-size Suzuki automobile sold in the...
- LJ-Series
- MehranMehran 800The Suzuki Mehran is a small car manufactured and marketed by Pak Suzuki Motors, a subsidiary of Suzuki in Pakistan. It is generally a rebadged first generation Suzuki Alto....
- MightyBoySuzuki MightyBoyThe Suzuki Mighty Boy was a small ute produced by Suzuki, a member of the Japanese Kei car family. It was classified as a commercial vehicle in Japan so as to benefit from lower taxes for such vehicles, but its utilitarian values were certainly limited.-History:Based on the principles and...
- MR WagonSuzuki MR WagonThe Suzuki MR Wagon is a kei car with a mini MPV body, seating four, manufactured by Suzuki for the Japanese market only, and also marketed in Japan by Nissan as the Nissan Moco under an OEM agreement. The model debuted in 2001, and since 2007 it has been in its second generation...
- PaletteSuzuki PaletteThe Suzuki Palette is a kei car produced by Suzuki since January 2008. The Suzuki Palette has twin sliding rear doors, and competes directly with the Daihatsu Tanto. During 2009 the higher spec Suzuki Palette S models were replaced by the Suzuki Palette SW, whose revised frontal design is...
- Sidekick
- SplashSuzuki SplashThe Suzuki Splash is a city car introduced in model year 2008 and jointly developed between Suzuki Motor Corporation and Opel/Vauxhall — which will also market their version as the Agila. It debuted as a concept car at the 2006 Paris Auto Show and the production model debuted at the 2007...
- SX4Suzuki SX4The Suzuki SX4 is a compact car developed by Japanese automaker Suzuki and sold by Suzuki and by Fiat and produced since 2006.-History:...
- SX4 Crossover
- SX4 Sport
- Suzuki TwinSuzuki TwinThe Suzuki Twin was a kei car built by Suzuki and sold in Japan from January 22, 2003, until October 2005. It was available in both hybrid and non-hybrid versions, making it the first hybrid kei car available in Japan...
- Wagon RSuzuki Wagon RThe Suzuki Wagon R is a kei car first introduced in Japan in 1993, and is still in production by Suzuki. The R stands for Recreation. It is one of the first cars to use the "tall wagon or tall boy" design in which the car is designed to be unusually tall with a short bonnet and almost vertical...
- X-90Suzuki X-90The Suzuki X-90 was a small SUV sold from 1996 through 1998. It was related to the Suzuki Sidekick, but had extremely rounded styling, two doors, seating for two and T-section removable roof. It replaced the Samurai for the United States market....
- XL7
- Aerio/Liana
- DaewooGM DaewooGM Korea Company is South Korea's second largest automobile manufacturer and is a division of the General Motors Company. GM Korea's roots go back to the former Daewoo which was split from its parent company, Daewoo Group, in 2001...
based North American models- Swift+Daewoo KalosThe Chevrolet Aveo is the first generation of the Chevrolet Aveo, a subcompact automobile manufactured since 2002 by GM Daewoo, the South Korean subsidiary of General Motors — originally marketed as the Daewoo Kalos and prominently marketed as the Aveo...
- Forenza/RenoDaewoo LacettiThe Daewoo Lacetti is a compact car made by the South Korean automaker GM Daewoo since 2002. The first-generation Lacetti was available as a four-door sedan, a five-door hatchback or a five-door station wagon. The sedan and wagon were designed by Pininfarina, and the hatchback by Giorgetto Giugiaro...
- VeronaDaewoo MagnusThe Daewoo Magnus is a mid-size sedan developed and manufactured by Daewoo Motors until its purchase by General Motors, and now built for GM Daewoo Auto & Technology by Daewoo Incheon Motor Company at its Bupyeong facility in South Korea. GM Daewoo and other GM divisions, as well as GMDAT stake...
- Swift+
- ChevroletChevroletChevrolet , also known as Chevy , is a brand of vehicle produced by General Motors Company . Founded by Louis Chevrolet and ousted GM founder William C. Durant on November 3, 1911, General Motors acquired Chevrolet in 1918...
based South American models- Fun
Concept automobiles
The GSX-R/4Suzuki GSX-R/4
The Suzuki GSX-R/4 is a concept car made by Suzuki in 2001. It had a mid-mounted, 1.3 L DOHC engine taken from the company's hypersport motorcycle, the GSX-1300R Hayabusa. Designed as a showcase for technology, the GSX-R/4 was never meant for production. It had upscale features such as GPS...
concept car was presented in 2001. It is fitted with a 1,300 cc engine taken from the GSX1300R Hayabusa.
Motorcycles
Suzuki GT 750
The GT750 was a Suzuki water-cooled three-cylinder two-stroke motorcycle made from 1971 to 1977.-Development:The prototype Suzuki GT750 was shown at the 17th Tokyo Motor Show in October 1970 and launched in Japan in September 1971 as a sports tourer and was developed from the Suzuki T500 with an...
.
A large factor in Suzuki's success in two-stroke competition was the East German
German Democratic Republic
The German Democratic Republic , informally called East Germany by West Germany and other countries, was a socialist state established in 1949 in the Soviet zone of occupied Germany, including East Berlin of the Allied-occupied capital city...
Grand Prix
Grand Prix motorcycle racing
Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix is the premier championship of motorcycle road racing currently divided into three distinct classes: 125cc, Moto2 and MotoGP. The 125cc class uses a two-stroke engine while Moto2 and MotoGP use four-stroke engines. In 2010 the 250cc two-stroke was replaced...
racer Ernst Degner
Ernst Degner
Ernst Degner was a German Grand Prix motorcycle road racer....
, who defected to the West in 1961, bringing with him expertise in two-stroke engines from the East German manufacturer MZ
MZ Motorrad- und Zweiradwerk
MZ Motorrad- und Zweiradwerk GmbH is a motorcycle manufacturer located in Zschopau, Germany. MZ an acronym, stands for Motorradwerk Zschopau in the Erzgebirge region of Saxony...
. Suzuki hired Degner, and he won the 50 cc class
50 cc
The 50 cc class was the ultra-lightweight class in Grand Prix motorcycle racing, and formed part of the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme World Championships from 1962 until 1983; when the class was replaced by 80 cc....
F.I.M.
Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme
The Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme is the governing body of motorcycle racing. It represents 103 national motorcycle federations that are divided into six regional continental unions....
road racing
Road racing
Road racing is a general term for most forms of motor racing held on paved, purpose-built race tracks , as opposed to oval tracks and off-road racing...
World Championship for them in the 1962 season
1962 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season
The 1962 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season was the 14th F.I.M. Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix season. The season consisted of eleven Grand Prix races in six classes: 500cc, 350cc, 250cc, 125cc, 50cc and Sidecars 500cc...
. Suzuki became the first Japanese manufacturer to win a motocross world championship when Joel Robert
Joël Robert
Joël Robert is a Belgian motocross racer who won the 250cc Motocross World Championship six times including five times in a row....
won the 1970 250 cc title. In the 1970s, Suzuki established themselves in the motorcycle racing world with Barry Sheene
Barry Sheene
Barry Stephen Frank Sheene MBE was a British World Champion Grand Prix motorcycle road racer.-Early life:...
and Roger De Coster winning world championships in the premier 500 cc division in road racing
Road racing
Road racing is a general term for most forms of motor racing held on paved, purpose-built race tracks , as opposed to oval tracks and off-road racing...
and motocross
Motocross
Motocross is a form of motorcycle sport or all-terrain vehicle racing held on enclosed off road circuits. It evolved from trials, and was called scrambles, and later motocross, combining the French moto with cross-country...
respectively. Suzuki continues to compete in MotoGP
Grand Prix motorcycle racing
Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix is the premier championship of motorcycle road racing currently divided into three distinct classes: 125cc, Moto2 and MotoGP. The 125cc class uses a two-stroke engine while Moto2 and MotoGP use four-stroke engines. In 2010 the 250cc two-stroke was replaced...
and last won the title in the 2000 season
2000 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season
The 2000 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season was the 52nd F.I.M. Road Racing World Championship season.-Season summary:Kenny Roberts, Jr. fulfilled the promise of his 2nd place in 1999 by winning the championship for 2000 with 2 races to spare...
. Since 2006, the team is sponsored by Rizla
Rizla
RizLa+ , known in English as Rizla is a brand of rolling papers and cigarette tubes or blanks in which tobacco is rolled or stuffed to form handmade cigarettes....
and is known as Rizla Suzuki MotoGP team. On 18 November 2011, Suzuki announced that the GP racing was suspended, partly due to natural disasters and recession, until 2014.
It was not until 1976 that Suzuki introduced its first motorcycle with a four-stroke engine, the GS400
Suzuki GS series
The Suzuki GS series is a line of motorcycles featuring air-cooled parallel-twin and Inline four engines with two or four valves per cylinder. The GS-range of models are considered to be examples of Universal Japanese motorcycles. The range of motorcycles in the series had engine displacements...
and GS750
Suzuki GS series
The Suzuki GS series is a line of motorcycles featuring air-cooled parallel-twin and Inline four engines with two or four valves per cylinder. The GS-range of models are considered to be examples of Universal Japanese motorcycles. The range of motorcycles in the series had engine displacements...
.
In 1994, Suzuki partnered with Nanjing Jincheng Machinery to create a Chinese motorcycle manufacturer and exporter called Jincheng Suzuki
Jincheng Suzuki
Jincheng Suzuki is a joint Sino-Japanese producer of motorcycles and scooters founded in 1994 and headquartered in Nanjing. It is a joint venture between Suzuki and Nanjing Jincheng Machinery. The company claims output of 3,000 units per month, making it the first-place exporter and...
.
Models
Notable Suzuki motorcycles include some of the following:- Hayabusa (GSX-1300R) – a sport motorcycle capable of 190 mph (84.9 m/s) in 1999, and limited to 186 mph (83.1 m/s) since 2001.
- GSX-R1000Suzuki GSX-R1000The GSX-R1000 is a sport bike from Suzuki's GSX-R series of motorcycles. It was introduced in 2001 to replace the GSX-R1100 and is powered by a liquid-cooled inline four-cylinder, four-stroke engine.-2001:...
– the largest model of the GSX-R series, first launched in 2001. - GSX-R750Suzuki GSX-R750The GSX-R750 is a 750 class sport bike motorcycle from Suzuki's GSX-R series of motorcycles. It was introduced in 1985 and can be considered to be the first of the modern racer-replicas with many race-derived technologies and the looks of a Suzuki Endurance racer at an affordable price.-Air-cooled...
– the grandfather of the GSX-R1000, this designation is more than 25 years old and this model is being updated/redesigned entirely every two to four years. - GSX-R600Suzuki GSX-R600The GSX-R600 is a 600 class sport bike in Suzuki's GSX-R series of motorcycles.- History :1992–1993Launched with a water-cooled 599cc inline-4 engine. The first model had the same body specifications as the 1992 GSX-R750, with the smaller engine and carried over through to the 1993 model year with...
– a smaller version of the GSX-R750. - GSX-650FSuzuki GSX 650 FThe Suzuki GSX650F is a sport touring motorcycle made by Suzuki. It is essentially an updated Bandit, filling the void of the retired Katana.The 656 cc liquid-cooled engine has just over and a 12,500 rpm redline...
– introduced in 2008, this new sport touring model fills the void of the retired KatanaSuzuki KatanaThe original Suzuki Katana was a then-novel sport motorcycle designed in 1979–1980 by the southern Bavarian firm of Target Design at the request of Suzuki of Germany specifically for their market....
. The 2009 model has ABSAnti-lock braking systemAn anti-lock braking system is a safety system that allows the wheels on a motor vehicle to continue interacting tractively with the road surface as directed by driver steering inputs while braking, preventing the wheels from locking up and therefore avoiding skidding.An ABS generally offers...
as a standard feature. - SV650Suzuki SV650The SV650 and variants are street motorcycles manufactured since 1999 for the international market by the Suzuki Motor Corporation, featuring a mid-sized V-twin engine and medium performance components...
– introduced in 1999 as a budget entry in the emerging naked bike market and, as of 2008, offered both naked and fully faired. Since 2009 it is also offered in the GladiusSuzuki SFV650 GladiusThe Suzuki Gladius is a naked motorcycle introduced by Suzuki for the 2009 model year. The bike features a new design and an upgraded engine from the SV650.At the Tokyo Motor Show in 2009, Suzuki announced the smaller capacity Gladius 400.- External links :...
variant. - BurgmanSuzuki BurgmanThe Burgman series of scooters is produced by Suzuki with engine capacities from 125 cc up to 638 cc. Models include:-AN series:...
– series of urban scooters with engine capacities from 125 cc up to 638 cc produced in Japan, Italy and Spain. - RGV250Suzuki RGV250- Introduction :The RGV250 is a high performance sports bike which had a great number of its features and design clues based on the Grand Prix technologies and ideas. It is a race-replica based on Suzuki's 250 cc GP bikes from 1987 to 1998, the RGV Gamma V-2 racer...
– the road-racing replica of Kevin SchwantzKevin SchwantzKevin Schwantz is an American former World Champion motorcycle road racer during the late 1980s and early 1990s.-Early life:...
's RGV500 GP race bike - DL-650 V-Strom – a dual-sport motorcycle
All-terrain vehicles (ATVs)
- Suzuki Eiger 400Suzuki Eiger 400The Suzuki Eiger 400 is an all-terrain vehicle from Suzuki. It has a 376 cc, single overhead cam, four-stroke, single cylinder, air/oil-cooled engine, weighs , has a gas tank, and offers two wheel or four wheel drive. There is a choice of a 5-speed transmission with automatic clutch, or a...
- Suzuki LT 230Suzuki LT 230The Suzuki Quadsport LT230S was the first sport variety quad to hit the market in 1985. It is powered by an overhead cam 2-valve 229 cc 4-stroke single-cylinder engine. It has a 5-speed manual clutch / manual shift drive train with reverse. Final drive is by 520-pitch chain...
- Suzuki LT-R450 (race ready)Suzuki LT-R450 (race ready)The Suzuki LT-R450 was introduced to the Suzuki ATV family in 2006. Since then it has been one of the most successful race quads ever built. The LT-R450 was the first stock ATV that was race ready right out of the box. Since the LT-R450s beginning there have been over 100+ upgrades added to the...
- Suzuki LT250R
Event sponsorship
Suzuki is a major sponsor of lugeLuge
A Luge is a small one- or two-person sled on which one sleds supine and feet-first. Steering is done by flexing the sled's runners with the calf of each leg or exerting opposite shoulder pressure to the seat. Racing sleds weigh 21-25 kilograms for singles and 25-30 kilograms for doubles. Luge...
, biathlon
Biathlon
Biathlon is a term used to describe any sporting event made up of two disciplines. However, biathlon usually refers specifically to the winter sport that combines cross-country skiing and rifle shooting...
, and cross country skiing sporting events.
They also the current title sponsor of ASEAN Football Championship.
See also
- List of Suzuki engines
- Suzuki World Rally TeamSuzuki World Rally TeamThe Suzuki World Rally Team, also known as the Suzuki WRC Challenge was Suzuki's factory backed World Rally Championship team, as part of the Suzuki Sport organization. The team debuted for the first time at the 2007 Tour de Corse in France...
- Suzuki T SeriesSuzuki T seriesThe Suzuki T series was a series of motorcycle manufactured by Suzuki that ran from approximately 1963 through 1977 in various engine displacements between 90 and 500 cc.-Construction:...
- Suzuki T20Suzuki T20thumb|right|A 1967 Suzuki T20The Suzuki T20 was the first production six speed motorcycle in the world. It was first manufactured in 1965 and was produced until the end of the 1968 model year. It was superseded by an updated version which was designated the T250-1...
- Suzuki GT SeriesSuzuki GT seriesThe Suzuki GT series of motorcycles was introduced to the world in the fall of 1971 as 1972 model year motorcycles. The final MY of production was 1977 although some markets continued to receive the GT380 to the end of the 1980 MY...