Suzuki
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- For other uses, see Suzuki (disambiguation).
| Suzuki Motor Corporation
<tr><td colspan="2" style="text-align:center; padding:16px 0 16px 0;"> | |
| Type | Public (TYO: 7269 ) |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1909 |
| Headquarters | HQ in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, Japan
<tr><th style="text-align:right; padding-right:0.75em;">Key people</th><td>Osamu Suzuki, Chairman & CEO |
Suzuki Motor Corporation is a Japanese manufacturing company producing a range of automobiles (especially Keicars), a full range of motorcycles, outboard motors, and a variety of other small combustion-powered engine products. Suzuki has 15 automotive manufacturing plants in 14 countries and 133 distributors in 119 countries.
Contents |
[edit] History
In 1909, Michio Suzuki founded the Suzuki Loom Company in the small seacoast village of Hamamatsu, Japan. Business boomed as Suzuki built weaving looms for Japan's giant silk industry. Suzuki's only desire was to build better, more user-friendly looms. For the first 30 years of the company's existence, its focus was on the development and production of these exceptionally complex machines.
Despite the success of his looms, Suzuki realized his company had to diversify and he began to look at other products. Based on consumer demand, he decided that building a small car would be the most practical new venture. The project began in 1937, and within two years Suzuki had completed several compact prototype cars. These first Suzuki motor vehicles were powered by a then-innovative, liquid-cooled, four-stroke, four-cylinder engine. It featured a cast aluminum crankcase and gearbox and generated 13 horsepower from a displacement of less than 800cc.
With the onset of World War II, production plans for Suzuki's new vehicles were halted when the government declared civilian passenger cars a "non-essential commodity." At the conclusion of the war, Suzuki went back to producing looms. Loom production was given a boost when the U.S. government approved the shipping of cotton to Japan. Suzuki's fortunes brightened as orders began to increase from domestic textile manufacturers. But the joy was short-lived as the cotton market collapsed in 1951.
Faced with this colossal challenge, Suzuki's thoughts went back to motor vehicles. After the war, the Japanese had a great need for affordable, reliable personal transportation. A number of firms began offering "clip-on" gas-powered engines that could be attached to the typical bicycle. Suzuki's first two-wheel effort came in the form of a motorized bicycle called, the "Power Free." Designed to be inexpensive and simple to build and maintain, the 1952 Power Free featured a 36cc two-stroke engine. An unprecedented feature was the double-sprocket gear system, enabling the rider to either pedal with the engine assisting, pedal without engine assist, or simply disconnect the pedals and run on engine power alone. The system was so ingenious that the patent office of the new democratic government granted Suzuki a financial subsidy to continue research in motorcycle engineering. And so was born Suzuki Motor Corporation.
In 1953, Suzuki scored the first of countless racing victories when the tiny 60cc "Diamond Free" won its class in the Mount Fuji Hill Climb.
By 1954, Suzuki was producing 6,000 motorcycles per month and had officially changed its name to Suzuki Motor Co., Ltd. Following the success of its first motorcycles, Suzuki created an even more successful automobile: the 1955 "Suzulight." Suzuki showcased its penchant for innovation from the beginning. The Suzulight included front-wheel drive, four-wheel independent suspension and rack-and-pinion steering -- features common on cars half a century later.
[edit] Historical Timeline
- 1909 - Suzuki Loom Works founded in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Prefecture, by Michio Suzuki.
- 1920 - Reorganized, incorporated, and capitalized at 500,000 yen as Suzuki Loom Manufacturing Co. with Michio Suzuki as president.
- 1952 - 'Power Free' motorized bicycle marketed.
- 1954 - Company name changed to Suzuki Motor Co.,Ltd.
- 1955 - Lightweight car 'Suzulight' (360cc, 2-stroke) marketed helping to usher in Japan's light-weight car age.
- 1961 - Suzuki Loom Manufacturing Co. established by separating the loom machine division from the motor works and lightweight truck 'Suzulight Carry' marketed.
- 1962 - Suzuki won the 50cc class championship at the Isle of Man (U.K.)
- 1963 - U.S. Suzuki Motor Corp., a direct sales subsidiary, opened in Los Angeles.
- 1965 - 'D55' (5.5hp, 2-stroke) outboard motor marketed and makes early inroads and Fronte 800 marketed.
- 1967 - Thai Suzuki Motor Co., Ltd. established as a local assembly plant.
- 1968 - Carry full-cab van marketed.
- 1970 - LJ-Series 4X4 marketed.
- 1971 - GT750 motorcycle marketed.
- 1973 - Suzuki Canada Ltd., opened in Ontario, Canada.
- 1974 - P.T. Suzuki Indonesia Manufacturing established in Jakarta, Indonesia, entry into medical equipment field by marketing the Suzuki Motor Chair Z600 motorized wheelchair, expansion into the housing field initiated with Suzuki Home marketing two models of prefab 'Mini-House' and three types of storage sheds.
- 1975 - Antonio Suzuki Corp., a joint venture for knockdown production and sales, established in Manila, the Philippines.
- 1976 - GS-Series motorcycles marketed.
- 1977 - LJ80 4x4 vehicle marketed and exports of GS1000H motorcycle began.
- 1979 - Alto marketed.
- 1980 - Suzuki Australia Pty. Ltd. established in Sydney, Australia and entry into general purpose engine field by marketing three electric power generator models.
- 1981 - Business ties with General Motors (U.S.) and Isuzu Motors, Ltd.(Japan) signed.
- 1982 - 4X4 production began at PAK Suzuki Motor Co., Ltd. in Karachi, Pakistan and won maker championship for 7th consecutive year at the World Road Race Grand Prix 500.
- 1983 - Cultus/Swift 1.0-liter passenger car marketed and 4X4 production started at Maruti Udyog Ltd. in New Delhi, India.
- 1984 - Suzuki New Zealand Ltd. established in Wanganui, New Zealand and began export of Chevrolet Sprint to the United States. Car production technical assistance contract signed with China National Aerotechnology Import & Export Beijing Corporation. Operation of Suzuki Motor GmbH Deutschland began in Heppenheim,Germany.
- 1985 - SUZUKI of AMERICA AUTOMOTIVE CORP. established with the introduction of the Samurai, GSX-R750 motorcycle with an oil-cooled engine marketed and scooter production started at Avello S.A. of Spain.
- 1986 - American Suzuki Motor Corp. is formed merging U.S. Suzuki Motor Corp and Suzuki of America Automotive Corp.
- 1987 - Cultus/Swift production began in Colombia and total aggregate car exports reached 2 million units.
- 1988 - Escudo/Vitara 4x4 marketed and total aggregate car production reached 10 million units..
- 1989 - CAMI Automotive Inc. established and began operation in Ontario, Canada. Swift GT and Sidekick sales begin in the United States.
- 1990 - Corporate name changed to Suzuki Motor Corporation.
- 1991 - Car production started in Korea through technical ties with Daewoo Shipbuilding & Heavy Machinery Ltd and Cappuccino 2-seater marketed.
- 1993 - Passenger car production/sales began at Suzuki Egypt S.A.E., opening ceremony for new car production plant held at Magyar Suzuki Corp. in Esztergom, Hungary and Wagon R passenger car marketed.
- 1994 - Maruti Udyog Ltd. of India total aggregate car production reached 1 million units.
- 1995 - Total aggregate motorcycle export reached 20 million units
- 1996 - Start of production in Vietnam (Motorcycles and automobiles)
- 1997 - Achieved 10 million cumulative automobile sales for overseas market and 4-stroke outboard motors win the Innovation Award at The International Marine Trade Exhibit and Conference (IMTEC) in Chicago.
- 1998 - Suzuki and General Motors form strategic alliance and Chongqing Changan Suzuki Automobile Co., Ltd. received official approval from the Chinese government for production of passenger cars.
- 1999 - Aggregate motorcycle production reaches 40 million units and Jiangxi Changhe Suzuki Automobile Co., Ltd. receives official approval from the Chinese government for production of commercial vehicles.
- 2000 - The company commemorates the 80th anniversary, aggregate car production at Kosai Plant reaches 10 million units and Suzuki production starts at General Motors de Argentina S.A.
- 2001 - Aggregate worldwide sales of SJ-Series reaches 2 million units, production of Alto reaches 4 million units and Suzuki achieves "Zero-Level" target of landfill waste
- 2002 - Achieved 30 million cumulative automobile sales for worldwide market and America's #1 warranty: 100,000/7-year powertrain limited warranty.
- 2003 - Suzuki is #1 in Keicar sales for the 30th consecutive year and Twin, the first hybrid Keicar in Japan, marketed.
- 2004 - Aggregate domestic automobile sales reach 15 million units
- 2005 - Swift was awarded the 2006 RJC Car of the Year.
- 2006 - New XL7 is marketed particularly to the North American market and GM divested, selling 92.36 million shares and reducing their stake to 3%.
[edit] American Suzuki Co. History
In 1985, Suzuki made an agreement with General Motors to meet the increasing demand for small cars and the Chevrolet Sprint (Suzuki Cultus in Japan) was introduced in the United States.
Also in 1985 (for the 1986 model year), the Samurai (a small off-roader; also known variously as the Jimny, Sierra and SJ410/SJ413 outside the US) was the first car introduced to the United States by the newly created American Suzuki Corp. No other Japanese company sold more cars in the United States in its first year than Suzuki. It was successful until Consumer Reports reportedly forced the Samurai to roll over in a 1988 test. Both companies spent over a decade in court debating this issue with no winner until 2003 when a judge sided with American Suzuki. As a result in Consumer Reports next issue they printed a correction to the 1988 test.
In 1989, American Suzuki introduced the Swift and a new small SUV called the Sidekick. The Swift and Sidekick were cousins to GM's Geo Metro and Geo Tracker and were mostly produced in Ingersoll, Canada by Suzuki and GM's joint venture, CAMI.
In 1995 American Suzuki introduced the Esteem and redesigned the Swift. Worldwide Suzuki production reached more than 975,000 cars this year. In 1996, American Suzuki released the X-90 to replace the Samurai. The Sidekick was replaced by the Vitara and the Grand Vitara for 1999.
After 2001, the Swift (by then the most inexpensive car in America) had left the Suzuki lineup. The Esteem also left, to be replaced with the Aerio for 2002. Suzuki was now down from two SUVs to one, and two cars to one.
In 2004, General Motors and Suzuki Motor Corp in Japan purchased the Bankrupt Daewoo renaming the venture GMDAT. Suzuki then rebadged two of the Daewoo cars with the Suzuki name: the compact Forenza (Daewoo Nubira/Daewoo Lacetti) and the mid-size Verona (Daewoo Magnus, formerly the Daewoo Leganza). The Forenza gained wagon and hatchback body styles for 2005, with the hatchback sold under the Reno name. Suzuki also introduced a redesigned Grand Vitara as a 2006 model.
[edit] OEM deals
Beginning with the Chevrolet Sprint, Suzuki has built cars for other manufacturers. In Europe, the main rebadged Suzuki is the Subaru Justy and G3X Justy, which has been a version of its Swift and, more recently, its Ignis. Most of Mazda's (and Autozam's) smallest vehicles are made by Suzuki, as is the Nissan Moco. Suzuki's Samurai/Sierra was also known as the Holden Drover between 1985 and 1987. The Chevrolet Cruze and Holden Cruze are also on Suzuki platforms—again the Ignis's but with a Holden-designed body. The Geo and Chevrolet Tracker were Suzuki Vitaras by another name. Suzuki has recently collaborated with Nissan, they will supply Suzuki with a mid-sized/pick up vehicle, whereas Suzuki will provide Nissan with more minicars for the Japanese home market. In addition the two companies will start manufacturing cars in India, which is an emerging market, Suzuki already owns just over 50% of Maruti Udyog Limited which sell most cars in the Indian market.
[edit] Automobiles
- North/South American models
[edit] Kei Automobiles
[edit] Motorcycles
Suzuki started manufacturing motorcycles in 1952, the first models being motorized bicycles. During the 1950's, 1960's and the better part of 1970's, the company manufactured motorcycles with two-stroke engines only, the biggest two-stroke model being the water-cooled triple-cylinder GT750. However, it wasn't until 1976 when Suzuki introduced its first motorcycle with a four-stroke engine, the GS400 and GS750. Since then, Suzuki has established a reputation as a manufacturer of well-engineered sport motorcycles.
In the 1970s, Suzuki also established itself in the racing world, winning several World Championships in Grand Prix motorcycle racing with Barry Sheene winning the 500cc Roadracing crown twice and Roger DeCoster winning the 500cc Motocross Grand Prix title five times.
[edit] Street
- T20 / X6
- GT Series
- GS Series
- GS500E/F
- GSX Series
- GSX-R Series
- RF Series
- Bandit (GSF) Series
- DL 650 VStrom
- VL 1500 Intruder LC / Boulevard C90
- VZ 800 Marauder / Boulevard M50
- VL 800 Volusia / Boulevard C50
- VX 800
- SV650(S)
- SV1000(S)
- TL1000R
- TL1000S
- RC80
- RC100
- RG150/RGV150
- RGV250
- RG500
- FXR150
- GSX1100S-SZ, GSX750S-SF & GSX650 Katana
- DL 1000 V-Strom
- GSX-1300R Hayabusa
- Boulevard S40
- Boulevard S50
- Boulevard S83
- EN 125cc 2a
- LS650 Savage
- Suzuki VS 600/750/1400 Intruder
- Suzuki GV1400 Cavalcade (85-90)
- Suzuki GV700/GV1200 Madura (85,86 only)
- Suzuki RV 125 Van Van
- AN Burgman Series - Scooters
- Katana AY50 - Scooter
- TU250
- GN250
[edit] Motocross / Off Road
[edit] Concept/prototype
- Suzuki Stratosphere
- GSR400
- Suzuki Skywave Type-S
- Suzuki Boulevard M109R
- Suzuki Address V50G
- Suzuki GSX-R/4
[edit] All-terrain vehicles (ATVs)
- Suzuki KingQuad 700
- Suzuki TwinPeaks 700
- Suzuki Vinson 500
- Suzuki Eiger 400
- Suzuki Ozark 250
- Suzuki LT-Z400
- Suzuki LT-Z450 (race ready)
- Suzuki Escudo Pikes Peak version (rally/road)
- Suzuki Cultus Pikes Peak version (rally/road)
[edit] Other
- List of Suzuki engines
- EDE51V village ambulance
[edit] Trivia
- For Suzuki's American advertising as of July 2006, an edited version of The Mooney Suzuki's song "Alive and Amplified" appears on all American Suzuki commercials, despite the fact that the band was not named after the car.
- Suzuki created the Acrobattler/Roboizer/Mach Jabber, the motorcycles ridden by the main character of the famous Japanese tokusatsu superhero television series "Kamen Rider Black RX."
[edit] External links
</div>- Corporate website
- Corporate website (Japanese)
- Category at ODP
- Suzuki UK
- Pak Suzuki Motors - Pakistan
- Suzuki Motorcycles - Pakistan
- Official site of Suzuki Motorcycles
- Pictures and Specs of All Current Models
- Information on all Suzuki Motorcycle models
- Official site of Suzuki Motorcycles in Chile
- UK Suzuki Forums
Buick • Cadillac • Chevrolet • GMC • Holden • Hummer • Opel • Pontiac • Saab • Saturn • Vauxhall
Affiliates
GM Daewoo (50.9%) • Suzuki (3%) • Wuling (34%)
Defunct Marques
Geo (1989-1997) • LaSalle (1927-1940) • Marquette (1929-1930) • Oakland (1907-1931) • Oldsmobile (1897-2004) • Viking (1929-1931)
de:Suzuki et:Suzuki es:Suzuki fr:Suzuki id:Suzuki it:Suzuki he:סוזוקי מוטור nl:Suzuki ja:スズキ (自動車メーカー) no:Suzuki pl:Suzuki pt:Suzuki fi:Suzuki sv:Suzuki tr:Suzuki zh:鈴木股份有限公司
Categories: Companies listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange | Companies established in 1909 | Motorcycle manufacturers of Japan | Scooter manufacturers | Suzuki | Emergency services equipment makers | Motorcycle racing teams | Car manufacturers | Truck manufacturers | Automotive companies of Japan | Companies headquartered in Shizuoka
