Shopping on line can be easy, simple and save you lots of money. It can also take a lot of your time, frustrate you, and result in unwanted purchases. Now the same can be said for regular high street shopping, but with the vast opportunity presented by the Internet it will pay you to spend a few minutes reading this and understanding how to better optimize your Suzuki shopping experience:
1. Compare - without doubt the biggest advantage that the Suzuki offers shoppers today is the ability to compare thousands of Suzuki at a time. This is a great thing, but not necessarily all the time! Too much can be daunting at times so take advantage of the great comparison sites and where possible let them do the hard work for you.
2. Research - if it has been said it will be on the internet. Ignorance is no longer a justifiable reason for buying the wrong thing. Take the time to research in detail everything that you could possible want to know about
3. Testimonials - don't know anybody that has bought a Suzuki? Wrong! If the Suzuki is good the internet will let you know. Use the Internet as a friend and get testimonials before you buy.
4. Questions - Got a question about Suzuki then search the Forums, FAQ's, Blogs etc. Don't be afraid to ask .....
5. Reputation - Never heard of the company selling Suzuki? Don't worry, no reason why you should know every company in the world, but you know someone that does! Use the internet to find out what people are saying about Suzuki and build up a picture of their reputation for sales, returns, customer service, delivery etc.
6. Returns - still worried that even after all of the above your Suzuki wont be what you want? Check out the returns policy. There is so much competition now that someone, somewhere is bound to offer the terms that you are comfortable with.
7. Feedback - happy with your Suzuki then let people know, after all you are depending on others people input in your buying decision, so why not give a little back.
8. Security - check for the yellow padlock on the Suzuki site before you buy, and the s after http:/ /i.e. https:// = a secure site
9. Contact - got a question about Suzuki, or want to leave a comment then check out the sites contact page. Reputable companies have them and respond.
10. Payment - ready to pay for your Suzuki, then use your credit card or PayPal! Be aware of companies that don't accept them, there may be genuine reasons but given the huge amount of choice you have when buying online there is no reason at all not to buy via credit card or PayPal.
{{Infobox Company| company_name = Suzuki Motor Corporation| company_logo = | company_type = Public company ()| foundation = 1909, [Shizuoka Prefecture,
Japan, Chairman & [CEOHiroshi Tsuda, President &
Chief operating officer| num_employees = 13,760 (2005)], Motorcycles, Outboard motor, and Other Products| revenue = $19.76 billion USD (2005)| homepage = www.globalsuzuki.com-->
is a Japanese multinational corporation that specializes in manufacturing compact automobiles, a full range of motorcycles, All-terrain vehicle,
outboard motor,
wheelchairs and a variety of other small internal combustion engines. Suzuki is the 12th largest automobile manufacturer in the
world, employs over 45,000 people, has 35 main production facilities in 23 countries and 133 distributors in 192 countries.
History
In 1909, Michio Suzuki founded the Suzuki Loom Company in the small seacoast village of
Hamamatsu, Japan. Business boomed as Suzuki built
loom for Japan giant
silk industry. Suzuki's only desire was to build better, more user-friendly looms. In
1929, Michio Suzuki invented a new type of weaving machine, which was exported overseas. Suzuki filed as many as 120 patents and utility model rights. For the first 30 years of the company's existence, its focus was on the development and production of these exceptionally complex machines.
Despite the success of his
looms, Suzuki realized his company had to diversify and he began to look at other products. Based on consumer demand, he decided that building a small car would be the most practical new venture. The project began in 1937, and within two years Suzuki had completed several compact prototype cars. These first Suzuki motor vehicles were powered by a then-innovative, liquid-cooled, four-stroke, four-cylinder engine. It featured a cast aluminum crankcase and gearbox and generated 13
horsepower from a displacement of less than 800cubic centimetre.
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 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 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.
Historical Timeline
1910 - 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,
two stroke) marketed helping to usher in
Japan light-weight car age.
1961 - Suzuki Loom Manufacturing Co. established by separating the loom machine division from the motor works and lightweight truck 'Suzulight
Suzuki Carry' marketed.
1962 - Suzuki won the 50cc class championship at the Isle of Man (United Kingdom)
1963 - U.S. Suzuki Motor Corp., a direct sales subsidiary, opened in Los Angeles.
1965 - 'D55' (5.5hp, two-stroke)
outboard motor marketed and makes early inroads and Suzuki Fronte marketed.
1967 - Thai Suzuki Motor Co., Ltd. established as a local assembly plant.
1968 - Suzuki Carry full-cab van marketed.
1970 - Suzuki LJ
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 prefabricated '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 - Suzuki GS motorcycles marketed.
1977 -
Suzuki LJ 4x4 vehicle marketed and exports of
Suzuki GS motorcycle began.
1979 -
Suzuki Alto marketed.
1979 - Suzuki 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 Electrical generator models.
1981 - Business ties with
General Motors (U.S.) and
Isuzu(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
grand prix motorcycle racing.
1982 -
Suzuki SC100 Discontinued in favour of Suzuki Alto.
1983 - Suzuki Cultus/
Suzuki Swift 1.0-liter passenger car marketed and
4X4 production started at
Maruti Udyog 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 Suzuki Samurai, and the sensational Suzuki GSX-R750 motorcycle with an oil-cooled engine marketed and
scooter production started at Avello S.A. of Spain. Agreement with
Santana Motors to produce Suzuki cars in their
Linares, Jaén factory in
Andalusia, Spain.
1986 - American Suzuki Motor Corp. is formed merging U.S. Suzuki Motor Corp and Suzuki of America Automotive Corp.
1987 - Suzuki Cultus/
Suzuki Swift production began in Colombia and total
aggregate data car exports reached 2 million units.
1988 - Suzuki Escudo/
Suzuki Vitara 4x4 marketed and total
aggregate data car production reached 10 million units..
1989 -
CAMI established and began operation in Ontario, Canada.
Suzuki Swift and
Suzuki 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 Suzuki 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
Suzuki Wagon R passenger car marketed.
1994 -
Maruti Udyog of India total aggregate data car production reached 1 million units.
1995 - Total
aggregate 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 four 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 Chang'an Suzuki Automobile Co., Ltd. received official approval from the
Chinese government for production of passenger cars.
1999 -
aggregate data 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 data car production at
Kosai, Shizuoka Plant reaches 10 million units and Suzuki production starts at General Motors de Argentina S.A.
2001 - aggregate data worldwide sales of
Suzuki Samurai reaches 2 million units, production of
Suzuki 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 Suzuki Twin, the first
hybrid automobile Keicar in
Japan, marketed.
2004 - aggregate data domestic automobile sales reach 15 million units
2005 -
Suzuki Swift was awarded the 2006 RJC Car of the Year.
2006 - New Suzuki XL7 is marketed particularly to the North American market and GM divested, selling 92.36 million shares and reducing their stake to 3%.
2007 - Fall - Suzuki names Tyler Zinn top salesman in United States. Working at Thompson Suzuki in Baltimore, MD.
American Suzuki Motor Corp. History
American Suzuki headquarters is located in Brea,
California. Through an agreement with
General Motors Corporation, Suzuki began selling a version of their Suzuki Cultus in
United States as the Chevrolet Sprint in
1985. This model was initially sold as a 3-door hatchback and would be Chevrolet smallest model.
The Suzuki 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
Suzuki Samurai was available as a
convertible or
hardtop and the company slogan was
Never a Dull Moment. The Suzuki Samurai was successful until Consumer Reports noticed that the
Suzuki Samurai was susceptible to roll over in a 1988 test.
In
1989, American Suzuki introduced the
Suzuki Swift which was the 2nd generation
Suzuki Cultus. The Suzuki Swift was available as a GTi and GLX hatchback with a 4-door sedan following in
1990. A new small SUV called the
Suzuki 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 Suzuki Swift and Sidekick were cousins to GM's
Geo Metro and
Geo Tracker and were mostly produced in Ingersoll,
Canada by Suzuki and GM's joint venture, CAMI. The Swift GT/GTi and 4-door models were imported from japan. Bad publicity from Consumer Reports 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 Suzuki Esteem and redesigned the
Suzuki Swift. The Swift GT was dropped and this version Suzuki 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 airbags. A
stationwagon version of the
Suzuki 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
Suzuki X-90 and a revised Suzuki Sidekick model with airbag, a 120hp 1.8-liter engine, 16" wheels and two-tone paint. The
Suzuki Sidekick was replaced by the
Suzuki Vitara and the
Suzuki Grand Vitara for 1999. The
Suzuki Grand Vitara would be Suzuki's first model with a V6-cylinder engine and available 4-wheel ABS brakes.
The
Suzuki XL7 was introduced in
2001 as a stretched version of the Suzuki Grand Vitara. The Suzuki XL7 had a larger 2.7 liter V6-cylinder engine and 3-row seating. This would be Suzuki's largest vehicle to date and the first compact SUV to offer 3-row seating.
The Suzuki Swift was dropped from the model lineup in
2001 and the
Suzuki Esteem was replaced in 2002 by the new
Suzuki Aerio. The
Suzuki Aerio was offered as a 4-door sedan and 5-door
Crossover SUV with 4-wheel-drive as an option.
In 2004, General Motors and Suzuki jointly purchased the bankrupt
GM Daewoo renaming the venture GMDAT. American Suzuki rebadged the compact Daewoo Nubira/
Daewoo Lacetti as the
Suzuki Forenza and the mid-size Daewoo Magnus as the Suzuki Verona. The Suzuki Forenza gained
stationwagon and hatchback body style in
2005, with the hatchback sold under the
Suzuki Reno name.
2006 was the first year American Suzuki sold more than 100,000 vehicles in the United States. Suzuki redesigned the Suzuki Grand Vitara in
2006 as well as introduced the all-new
Suzuki SEX4 and Suzuki XL7 in
2007. The
Suzuki SX4 is produced as a joint venture with
Fiat S.p.A. and the Suzuki XL7 (notice the shortening of the name from Grand Vitara XL-7) is produced as a joint venture with
GM at CAMI Automotive Inc. in Ingersoll, Ontario,
Canada.
Suzuki Canada Inc. History
1973 -
June 1, Suzuki Canada Ltd. was incorporated with offices at Downsview,
Ontario. Product lines included
motorcycles, parts and accessories to Suzuki dealers throughout Canada.
1974 -
Vancouver 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-
Suzuki LJ in eastern Canada. November 1, 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.
February 1, 1983 - Western Branch moved to enlarged facilities in
Richmond, British Columbia,
British Columbia.
1984 - Began the sales of 'Suzuki Forsa' (Suzuki Cultus) automobile.
1986 - A $600 million Suzuki-GM joint venture CAMI announced for the manufacturing of vehicles. Production was set to begin in
1989 at Ingersoll, Ontario,
Ontario.
1987 - January 25 - Suzuki Canada Inc. moved to a new 110,000 sq. ft. head office and warehouse facility at
Richmond Hill, Ontario, Ontario.
1988 - Autumn - Suzuki began selling the CAMI-built 2-door
Suzuki Sidekick.
OEM deals
Beginning in
1985, Suzuki has built cars for or been the basis of other manufacturers around the globe.
General Motors - The
Suzuki Cultus/Suzuki Swift was rebadged as the
Chevrolet Sprint and in Canada, also the
Pontiac Firefly and the Geo Metro, along with a (GM)
Holden Barina in Australia. The
Suzuki Ignis was rebadged as the
Chevrolet Cruze and Chevrolet Cruze in Japan and
Australia. The
Suzuki Carry was rebadged as the
Bedford Rascal and
Bedford Rascal in the United Kingdom, Suzuki Carry in Australia and
Suzuki Carry in Ecuador. The Suzuki Sidekick was rebadged as the Geo Tracker, Chevrolet Tracker, and
Pontiac Sun Runner. The Suzuki Vitara was rebadged as the Geo Tracker and Chevrolet Tracker. The Suzuki XL-7 was rebadged in South America as the
Suzuki XL-7. The
Suzuki Samurai was rebadged as the Holden Drover.
Subaru - In
Europe, the second generation Suzuki Swift and the
Suzuki Ignis were rebadged as the
Subaru Justy.
Mazda - Most of
Mazda's
Autozam keicar models are rebadged Suzuki products. The Suzuki Vitara was also sold as the Mazda Proceed.
Nissan - Nissan Moco is a rebadged
Suzuki MR Wagon. Suzuki has recently collaborated further with
Nissan, as the latter will supply Suzuki with a mid-sized pickup while the former will provide Nissan with additional minicars for the Japanese home market.
Maruti Udyog - Suzuki and India jointly own this company with all models being rebadged Suzuki. (www.marutiudyog.com)
Chang'an Automotive Corp (www.changansuzuki.com) -
Suzuki Swift,
Suzuki Alto, Suzuki Carry
Jiangxi Changhe (www.changhe-suzuki.com)
Automobiles
- North/South American models
Kei Automobiles
Motorcycles
Suzuki started manufacturing motorcycles in 1952, the first modelsbeing motorized bicycles. During the 1950s, 1960s and the better partof the 1970s, the company manufactured motorcycles with two-stroke cycleengines only, the biggest two-stroke model being the water-cooledtriple-cylinder Suzuki GT 750. A large factor in Suzuki's success in two-stroke competition was the German Democratic Republic Grand Prix motorcycle racing racer
Ernst Degner,who defected to the West in 1961, bringing with him expertise in two-stroke engines from the East German manufacturer
MZ Motorrad- und Zweiradwerk. Suzuki hiredDegner, and he won the
50cc List of Grand Prix motorcycle racing World Champions for them in 1962.
However, it wasn't until 1976 that Suzuki introduced its firstmotorcycle with a four-stroke engine, the Suzuki GS series and
Suzuki GS series. Sincethen, Suzuki has established a reputation as a manufacturer of well-engineered sport motorcycles.
In 1994, Suzuki partnered with Nanjing Jincheng Machinery to create a Chinese motorcycle manufacturer and exporter called
Jincheng Suzuki.
Street
Motocross / Off Road / Dual Sport
- RM Series - Two Stroke
- RM-Z Series - Four Stroke
- DR Series - Four Stroke
- DR-Z Series - Four Stroke
Concept/prototype
All-terrain vehicles (ATVs)
with some common and custom modifications done
Quadrunner
Quadsport
ltr 450
- List of Suzuki engines
- EDE51V village ambulance
See also
External links
- Corporate website
- Corporate website (Japanese)
- Official site of Suzuki Canada Inc. (in French and English)
-
- Suzuki UK
- Pak Suzuki Motors - Pakistan
- Suzuki Motorcycles - Pakistan
- Official site of the American Suzuki Motor Corporation
- Official site of Suzuki Auto
- Official site of Suzuki Motorcycles
- Official site of Suzuki Marine
- Pictures and Specs of All Current Models
- Information on all Suzuki Motorcycle models
- Official site of Suzuki Motorcycles in Chile
- UK Suzuki Forums
- Suzuki Fansite
- Club Carry Philippines/Suzuki car club of the Philippines forums
- Maruti Suzuki India
- Suzuki Motorcycles India
- Suzuki VIN Decoder
{{Infobox Company| company_name = Suzuki Motor Corporation| company_logo = | company_type = Public company ()| foundation = 1909, [Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan, Chairman & [CEO
Hiroshi Tsuda, President & Chief operating officer| num_employees = 13,760 (
2005)], Motorcycles, Outboard motor, and Other Products| revenue = $19.76 billion USD (2005)| homepage = www.globalsuzuki.com-->
is a
Japanese multinational corporation that specializes in manufacturing compact automobiles, a full range of motorcycles, All-terrain vehicle,
outboard motor, wheelchairs and a variety of other small
internal combustion engines. Suzuki is the 12th largest automobile manufacturer in the world, employs over 45,000 people, has 35 main production facilities in 23 countries and 133 distributors in 192 countries.
History
In 1909, Michio Suzuki founded the Suzuki Loom Company in the small seacoast village of Hamamatsu,
Japan. Business boomed as Suzuki built
loom for Japan giant silk industry. Suzuki's only desire was to build better, more user-friendly looms. In 1929, Michio Suzuki invented a new type of weaving machine, which was exported overseas. Suzuki filed as many as 120 patents and utility model rights. For the first 30 years of the company's existence, its focus was on the development and production of these exceptionally complex machines.
Despite the success of his looms, Suzuki realized his company had to diversify and he began to look at other products. Based on consumer demand, he decided that building a small car would be the most practical new venture. The project began in 1937, and within two years Suzuki had completed several compact prototype cars. These first Suzuki motor vehicles were powered by a then-innovative, liquid-cooled, four-stroke, four-cylinder engine. It featured a cast
aluminum crankcase and gearbox and generated 13
horsepower from a displacement of less than 800cubic centimetre.
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 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 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.
Historical Timeline
1910 - 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,
two stroke) marketed helping to usher in
Japan light-weight car age.
1961 - Suzuki Loom Manufacturing Co. established by separating the loom machine division from the motor works and lightweight truck 'Suzulight
Suzuki Carry' marketed.
1962 - Suzuki won the 50cc class championship at the Isle of Man (
United Kingdom)
1963 - U.S. Suzuki Motor Corp., a direct sales subsidiary, opened in Los Angeles.
1965 - 'D55' (5.5hp, two-stroke) outboard motor marketed and makes early inroads and
Suzuki Fronte marketed.
1967 - Thai Suzuki Motor Co., Ltd. established as a local assembly plant.
1968 - Suzuki Carry full-cab van marketed.
1970 -
Suzuki LJ 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 prefabricated '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 -
Suzuki GS motorcycles marketed.
1977 - Suzuki LJ 4x4 vehicle marketed and exports of
Suzuki GS motorcycle began.
1979 - Suzuki Alto marketed.
1979 - Suzuki 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 Electrical generator models.
1981 - Business ties with General Motors (U.S.) and
Isuzu(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
grand prix motorcycle racing.
1982 -
Suzuki SC100 Discontinued in favour of Suzuki Alto.
1983 -
Suzuki Cultus/Suzuki Swift 1.0-liter passenger car marketed and 4X4 production started at Maruti Udyog 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
Suzuki Samurai, and the sensational
Suzuki GSX-R750 motorcycle with an oil-cooled engine marketed and
scooter production started at Avello S.A. of
Spain. Agreement with
Santana Motors to produce Suzuki cars in their
Linares, Jaén factory in Andalusia, Spain.
1986 - American Suzuki Motor Corp. is formed merging U.S. Suzuki Motor Corp and Suzuki of America Automotive Corp.
1987 - Suzuki Cultus/Suzuki Swift production began in Colombia and total
aggregate data car exports reached 2 million units.
1988 - Suzuki Escudo/
Suzuki Vitara 4x4 marketed and total
aggregate data car production reached 10 million units..
1989 -
CAMI established and began operation in Ontario, Canada. Suzuki Swift and Suzuki 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
Suzuki 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 Suzuki Wagon R passenger car marketed.
1994 -
Maruti Udyog of India total
aggregate data car production reached 1 million units.
1995 - Total aggregate 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
four 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
Chang'an Suzuki Automobile Co., Ltd. received official approval from the Chinese government for production of passenger cars.
1999 -
aggregate data 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 data car production at
Kosai, Shizuoka Plant reaches 10 million units and Suzuki production starts at General Motors de Argentina S.A.
2001 - aggregate data worldwide sales of
Suzuki Samurai reaches 2 million units, production of
Suzuki 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 Suzuki Twin, the first hybrid automobile
Keicar in
Japan, marketed.
2004 -
aggregate data domestic automobile sales reach 15 million units
2005 - Suzuki Swift was awarded the 2006 RJC Car of the Year.
2006 - New
Suzuki XL7 is marketed particularly to the North American market and GM divested, selling 92.36 million shares and reducing their stake to 3%.
2007 - Fall - Suzuki names Tyler Zinn top salesman in United States. Working at Thompson Suzuki in Baltimore, MD.
American Suzuki Motor Corp. History
American Suzuki
headquarters is located in Brea, California. Through an agreement with
General Motors Corporation, Suzuki began selling a version of their
Suzuki Cultus in
United States as the Chevrolet Sprint in
1985. This model was initially sold as a 3-door hatchback and would be Chevrolet smallest model.
The Suzuki 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 Suzuki Samurai was available as a convertible or
hardtop and the company slogan was
Never a Dull Moment. The
Suzuki Samurai was successful until
Consumer Reports noticed that the Suzuki Samurai was susceptible to roll over in a
1988 test.
In
1989, American Suzuki introduced the
Suzuki Swift which was the 2nd generation
Suzuki Cultus. The
Suzuki Swift was available as a GTi and GLX hatchback with a 4-door sedan following in 1990. A new small SUV called the
Suzuki 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 Suzuki Swift and Sidekick were cousins to GM's
Geo Metro and
Geo Tracker and were mostly produced in
Ingersoll, Canada by Suzuki and GM's joint venture, CAMI. The Swift GT/GTi and 4-door models were imported from
japan. Bad publicity from Consumer Reports 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 Suzuki Esteem and redesigned the Suzuki Swift. The Swift GT was dropped and this version Suzuki 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
airbags. A
stationwagon version of the
Suzuki 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
Suzuki X-90 and a revised
Suzuki Sidekick model with
airbag, a 120hp 1.8-liter engine, 16" wheels and two-tone paint. The
Suzuki Sidekick was replaced by the Suzuki Vitara and the Suzuki Grand Vitara for 1999. The Suzuki Grand Vitara would be Suzuki's first model with a V6-cylinder engine and available 4-wheel
ABS brakes.
The
Suzuki XL7 was introduced in 2001 as a stretched version of the Suzuki Grand Vitara. The Suzuki XL7 had a larger 2.7 liter V6-cylinder engine and 3-row seating. This would be Suzuki's largest vehicle to date and the first compact SUV to offer 3-row seating.
The
Suzuki Swift was dropped from the model lineup in 2001 and the Suzuki Esteem was replaced in
2002 by the new
Suzuki Aerio. The
Suzuki Aerio was offered as a 4-door sedan and 5-door
Crossover SUV with 4-wheel-drive as an option.
In
2004,
General Motors and Suzuki jointly purchased the bankrupt GM Daewoo renaming the venture GMDAT. American Suzuki rebadged the compact Daewoo Nubira/Daewoo Lacetti as the Suzuki Forenza and the mid-size Daewoo Magnus as the Suzuki Verona. The Suzuki Forenza gained stationwagon and hatchback body style in 2005, with the hatchback sold under the
Suzuki Reno name.
2006 was the first year American Suzuki sold more than 100,000 vehicles in the
United States. Suzuki redesigned the Suzuki Grand Vitara in
2006 as well as introduced the all-new Suzuki SEX4 and Suzuki XL7 in
2007. The
Suzuki SX4 is produced as a joint venture with Fiat S.p.A. and the
Suzuki XL7 (notice the shortening of the name from Grand Vitara XL-7) is produced as a joint venture with
GM at CAMI Automotive Inc. in
Ingersoll, Ontario,
Canada.
Suzuki Canada Inc. History
1973 - June 1, Suzuki Canada Ltd. was incorporated with offices at
Downsview,
Ontario. Product lines included
motorcycles, parts and accessories to Suzuki dealers throughout Canada.
1974 - Vancouver 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-Suzuki LJ in eastern Canada. November 1, 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.
February 1,
1983 - Western Branch moved to enlarged facilities in Richmond, British Columbia,
British Columbia.
1984 - Began the sales of 'Suzuki Forsa' (Suzuki Cultus) automobile.
1986 - A $600 million Suzuki-GM joint venture CAMI announced for the manufacturing of vehicles. Production was set to begin in 1989 at Ingersoll, Ontario, Ontario.
1987 -
January 25 - Suzuki Canada Inc. moved to a new 110,000 sq. ft. head office and warehouse facility at Richmond Hill, Ontario, Ontario.
1988 - Autumn - Suzuki began selling the CAMI-built 2-door
Suzuki Sidekick.
OEM deals
Beginning in 1985, Suzuki has built cars for or been the basis of other manufacturers around the globe.
General Motors - The
Suzuki Cultus/
Suzuki Swift was rebadged as the
Chevrolet Sprint and in
Canada, also the
Pontiac Firefly and the Geo Metro, along with a (GM)
Holden Barina in Australia. The
Suzuki Ignis was rebadged as the
Chevrolet Cruze and Chevrolet Cruze in Japan and
Australia. The
Suzuki Carry was rebadged as the Bedford Rascal and Bedford Rascal in the United Kingdom,
Suzuki Carry in Australia and
Suzuki Carry in
Ecuador. The Suzuki Sidekick was rebadged as the Geo Tracker, Chevrolet Tracker, and Pontiac Sun Runner. The Suzuki Vitara was rebadged as the Geo Tracker and
Chevrolet Tracker. The Suzuki XL-7 was rebadged in
South America as the
Suzuki XL-7. The
Suzuki Samurai was rebadged as the Holden Drover.
Subaru - In Europe, the second generation
Suzuki Swift and the Suzuki Ignis were rebadged as the
Subaru Justy.
Mazda - Most of
Mazda's
Autozam keicar models are rebadged Suzuki products. The
Suzuki Vitara was also sold as the Mazda Proceed.
Nissan - Nissan Moco is a rebadged
Suzuki MR Wagon. Suzuki has recently collaborated further with
Nissan, as the latter will supply Suzuki with a mid-sized
pickup while the former will provide
Nissan with additional minicars for the Japanese home market.
Maruti Udyog - Suzuki and
India jointly own this company with all models being rebadged Suzuki. (www.marutiudyog.com)
Chang'an Automotive Corp (www.changansuzuki.com) -
Suzuki Swift,
Suzuki Alto, Suzuki Carry
Jiangxi Changhe (www.changhe-suzuki.com)
Automobiles
- North/South American models
Kei Automobiles
Motorcycles
Suzuki started manufacturing motorcycles in 1952, the first modelsbeing motorized bicycles. During the 1950s, 1960s and the better partof the 1970s, the company manufactured motorcycles with
two-stroke cycleengines only, the biggest two-stroke model being the water-cooledtriple-cylinder Suzuki GT 750. A large factor in Suzuki's success in two-stroke competition was the
German Democratic Republic Grand Prix motorcycle racing racer Ernst Degner,who defected to the West in 1961, bringing with him expertise in two-stroke engines from the East German manufacturer MZ Motorrad- und Zweiradwerk. Suzuki hiredDegner, and he won the 50cc
List of Grand Prix motorcycle racing World Champions for them in 1962.
However, it wasn't until 1976 that Suzuki introduced its firstmotorcycle with a four-stroke engine, the
Suzuki GS series and Suzuki GS series. Sincethen, Suzuki has established a reputation as a manufacturer of well-engineered sport motorcycles.
In 1994, Suzuki partnered with Nanjing Jincheng Machinery to create a Chinese motorcycle manufacturer and exporter called Jincheng Suzuki.
Street
Motocross / Off Road / Dual Sport
Concept/prototype
All-terrain vehicles (ATVs)
with some common and custom modifications done
Quadrunner
Quadsport
ltr 450
See also
External links
- Corporate website
- Corporate website (Japanese)
- Official site of Suzuki Canada Inc. (in French and English)
-
- Suzuki UK
- Pak Suzuki Motors - Pakistan
- Suzuki Motorcycles - Pakistan
- Official site of the American Suzuki Motor Corporation
- Official site of Suzuki Auto
- Official site of Suzuki Motorcycles
- Official site of Suzuki Marine
- Pictures and Specs of All Current Models
- Information on all Suzuki Motorcycle models
- Official site of Suzuki Motorcycles in Chile
- UK Suzuki Forums
- Suzuki Fansite
- Club Carry Philippines/Suzuki car club of the Philippines forums
- Maruti Suzuki India
- Suzuki Motorcycles India
- Suzuki VIN Decoder
Suzuki - Way of Life!
Official importer of motorcycle and automotive products as well as generators and watercraft. Also contains latest news and sports results.
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SUZUKI MOTORSPORT BRC
29.07.07 suzuki swift sport cup 2008 offers cost-effective entry into rallying
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