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The History of Suzuki

In 1909, Michio Suzuki began the manufacturing of pedal-driven wooden looms. He improved upon his loom over the next few years so that it could be used in the production of products for the silk industry.

In 1920, the Suzuki Loom Manufacturing Company is created from the privately owned Suzuki Loom Works. The company was created solely for the purpose of manufacturing better weaving looms that could surpass the competition in both quality and sales. Michio Suzuki is selected to stand as the president of the company. Over the next thirty years, the focus is solely on the production of looms, which turned out to be quite a profitable venture for Suzuki.

By 1937, however, the company was ready to diversify so that it could continue to be a major player. In 1937, the company began to work upon the production of a small car. Several prototypes were created featuring the four-stroke, four-cylinder engine. Unfortunately, World War II intervened and production of compact cars was temporarily put off due to the fact that the government declared them to be non-essential items.

Following the war, Suzuki once again began to produce looms and even enjoyed a brief period of increased productivity during the height of the cotton market. Yet, things began to change.

By the year 1952, the Suzuki Loom Manufacturing Company was ready for change and growth in a new direction. The company saw a need for personal transportation that was reliable and they intended to provide it. Suzuki developed the “Power Free” that year. It was a motorized bicycle designed with a 36cc two-stroke engine and a double sprocket gear system. This was the beginning of the Suzuki Motor Corporation.

The rider of the “Power Free” had three options. He could choose to ride the bike using the bike pedals while having the engine provide assistance. He could elect to ride the bike strictly as a motorized vehicle running on engine power alone with the pedals completely disconnected. Additionally, he could ride the bike using the pedals only and without the assistance of the engine at all.

By 1953, Suzuki was entering motorcycle competitions and had already made a name for itself with the “Diamond Free,” a small 60cc model. The name of the company was officially changed in 1954 to Suzuki Motor Company, Ltd. Suzuki was now producing 6,000 motorcycles due to its success.

In 1955, Suzuki manufactured its first mass-produced car. It was considered a true marvel at the time due to its unique design. The car featured four-wheel suspension, front-wheel drive, and rack-and-pinion steering. It was given the name of the Suzulight.

By 1962, Suzuki had taken the first title for the 50cc Grand Prix World Championship- something it did again the following year. Suzuki continues to produce more motorcycles and eventually brings them to the American market in 1963.

Their lineup of bikes is innovative and offers America a chance for something different that includes reliability, diversity, and value. Partly due to their ability to mass produce their line of exclusive motorbikes and partly due to the high demand for them in the United States, Suzuki discovers a niche for itself in this market. Americans discover that Suzuki motorbikes are lightweight and inexpensive.

By the seventies, Suzuki was winning in the World Motocross Championships. In fact, bright, yellow Suzukis had a string of successes. In 1975, the company produced a very short-lived model, the RE5. It featured Wankel rotary-engine technology and is currently a collectible bike. The GR750 also made an appearance and is noted as the largest mass-produced street bike that was liquid-cooled and two-stroke.

In 1977, outboard motors became one of Suzuki’s interests with two-stroke motors at the forefront. At this time, Suzuki also developed some new ideas for outboard motors including oil injection, computerized control system for engine timing (the Microlink TM,) and dual-plug heads.

The QuadRunner LT125 makes its appearance in the global market in 1983. It quickly takes the lead, as it is the first four-wheeled ATV designed for the all-terrain vehicle arena. Suzuki earns a reputation for producing reliable, high-performance bikes.

In 1985, the Samuri is the first of this company’s automotive line to enter the United States market. By the following year, Suzuki was offering the raciest bike through mass production. It was known as the GSX-R750, one of the Superbikes. The frame was unusual for the year and consisted of a square tubular aluminum frame. This style of bike was distinctive in its lightweight capacity and strength as a racing machine. More of the same followed, leading to newer versions each successive year with all of them incredibly unique in their own way. Suzukis led the pack in many a championship race over the years.

By the time the year 2000 tolls in, Automotive News has reported Suzuki to be the fastest growing Japanese automotive company in the United States. The following year, 2001, issues forth the first affordable seven-passenger SUV, the Suzuki XL-7, as well as the GSX-R1000, a lightweight motorbike with incredible horsepower.

Suzuki continues to produce motor vehicles over the next few years. In 2004, two sedans, the Verona and the Forenza, are added to the Suzuki line of cars and SUVs. In leaps and bounds, Suzuki moves forward and makes new additions to its already impressive line of vehicles. The fully loaded Forenza Wagon and the Reno make their debut. Suzuki motorcycles continue to dominate on racetracks over the next few years.

In its enthusiastic attempt to produce an affordable, sophisticated, and rugged SUV, Suzuki produces the 2006 Grand Vitara. Safety and comfort features have been improved upon, including an electronic stability program (ESP®) and the SmartPass® keyless entry and engine start system. Additionally, V^ power and a full-time four-mode four-wheel-drive system set this motor vehicle apart from anything that had gone before it as an authentic and affordable SUV.

In the year 2007, Suzuki designs the XL7 specifically for the North American market, catering to their need for luxury and performance. Combining traditional reliability, value, and safety with touch-screen navigation, DVD entertainment system, and a 252-horsepower V6 engine, the XL7 featured the best of both.

Suzuki is one of the top motorcycle manufacturers, featuring a wide variety of products. Suzuki sportbikes include: Hayabusa, GSX-R1000, GSX-R750, GSX-R600, GSX650F, SV1000S, SV650SF, SV650SF ABS, Katana 750, Katana 600, GS500F.

Suzuki touring bikes include: Boulevard C109RT, Boulevard C90T, and Boulevard C50T. Suzuki Cruisers include: Boulevard M109R Limited, Boulevard M109R, Boulevard M109R2, Boulevard M50, Boulevard M50 Black, Boulevard C109RT, Boulevard C109R, Boulevard C90T, Boulevard C90, Boulevard C90 Black, Boulevard C50 Limited Edition, Boulevard C50T, Boulevard C50, Boulevard C90T, Boulevard C50 Black, Boulevard S83, Boulevard S50, and Boulevard C90T, Boulevard S40.

Suzuki Motocross bikes include RM-Z450, RM250, RM-Z250, RM125, RM85L, and RM85. Suzuki Standard bikes include: B-King ABS, B-King, Bandit 1250S, Bandit 1250S ABS, SV650, SV650 ABS, and GZ250.

Suzuki DualSport bikes include: V-Strom 1000, V-Strom 650 ABS, V-Strom 650, DR650SE, DR-Z400S, DR-Z400SM, and DR200SE. Suzuki SuperMoto bikes include the DR-Z400SM. Suzuki Off Road bikes include: DR-Z400E, DR-Z250, DR-Z125L, DR-Z125, and DR-Z70.

Currently, Suzuki sells almost 2 million vehicles, cars and motorcycles, a year. Suzuki motorcycles continue to be popular throughout the world today.

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