Suzuki Iwata Plant celebrates 10 million units of automobile production and 40th anniversary of startup

On 2 November, Suzuki Motor Corporation’s Iwata Plant marked two major milestones: 10 million units of automobile production and the 40th anniversary of the start of production.

The Iwata Plant was completed and opened in August 1967 specifically for automobile production. In the 40 years since the first vehicle, a Fronte LC10 mini passenger car, rolled off the production line, the plant has manufactured a wide range of mini vehicles and compact and midsize passenger cars.

After marking nine million units of production in April 2005, the Iwata Plant reached the 10-million-unit milestone in two years and seven months―its quickest ever production of one million vehicles. The 10 millionth car off the production line was an export-specification Grand Vitara (Japan name: Escudo).

The Iwata Plant currently produces the Jimny, Jimny Sierra, and Grand Vitara (Escudo) sport utility vehicles, the Every Wagon mini passenger car, the Every mini commercial vehicle, and the Carry mini truck (Japan’s highest-selling mini truck from 1971 to 2006 according to Japan Mini Vehicle Association data on new vehicle registrations).

Iwata Plant production milestones

Iwata Plant overview