Company is reorganized, incorporated and capitalized at ¥500,000 as Suzuki Loom Manufacturing Co. with Michio Suzuki as president.
100 years of Suzuki
Always close to our customers’ daily lives for 100 years. Let us introduce our history which started from the Suzuki Loom Manufacturing Co.
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Oct 1909
Michio Suzuki founds Suzuki Loom Works in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan.
1920
Mar
1947
May
Suzuki moves its head office to the present address.
1949
May
Suzuki lists on the Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya stock exchanges.
1952
Jun
Suzuki enters the motor-vehicle field with the launch of the Power Free 36cc, 2-cycle auxiliary bicycle engine.
1953
Mar
Diamond Free 60cc, 2-cycle auxiliary bicycle engine debuts and its monthly production exceeds 6,000 units amid a bike boom.
1954
Jun
Company changes its name to Suzuki Motor Co., Ltd.
1955
Mar
Colleda 125cc, 4-cycle motorcycle debuts.
Oct
Suzulight 360cc, 2-cycle mini vehicle debuts, helping to usher in Japan's mini vehicle age.
1957
Feb
Shunzo Suzuki is appointed as president and Michio Suzuki is appointed as adviser.
1958
Oct
Suzuki adopts the mark as its corporate emblem.
1959
Jul
Suzulight TL, the first vehicle exported to overseas market, debuts.
1961
Sep
Suzuki completes a plant for lightweight trucks in Toyokawa, Aichi Prefecture, Japan, and starts production of the Suzulight Carry 360cc, 2-cycle lightweight truck there.
1962
Mar
Suzuki adopts company's mission statement
Jun
Suzuki wins the 50cc-class championship in the Isle of Man TT race.
1963
Jun
Mitsuo Ito becomes the first Japanese rider to win the Isle of Man TT in the 50cc class.
1965
Apr
Suzuki enters the outboard motor field with the launch of D55 5.5hp, 2-stroke outboard motor.
Aug
Fronte 800, 2-cycle subcompact passenger vehicle debuts.
1967
Mar
Thai Suzuki Motor Co., Ltd. is established for assembly in Thailand. (First motorcycle plant outside Japan)
Apr
Fronte 360cc, 2-cycle mini vehicle debuts.
Aug
Iwata Plant is built as the first automobile exclusive production plant in Iwata, Shizuoka, Japan.
1970
Apr
Jimny (LJ series) 360cc, 2-cycle 4x4 mini vehicle debuts.
1971
Sep
Fronte Coupe 360cc, 2-cycle mini vehicle debuts.
Sep
GT750 750cc, 2-cycle motorcycle debut.
Oct
Toyokawa Plant is built for production of medium-size and large motorcycles in Toyokawa, Aichi, Japan.
1972
Jan
GT380 380cc, 2-cycle motorcycle debuts.
1973
May
Jitsujiro Suzuki is appointed as president and Shunzo Suzuki is appointed as chairman.
1974
Apr
Suzuki enters the medical equipment field with the launch of the Motor Chair Z600 motorized wheelchair.
Jun
P.T. Suzuki Indonesia Manufacturing (SIM) is established in Indonesia.
Aug
Suzuki enters the housing field with the launch of prefabricated house and storage shed.
1975
May
Suzuki begins its first overseas car production with assembly of the Jimny LJ50 4x4 car in Pakistan.
1976
May
Carry Van and Carry Truck (Export models) debut.
Jun
Fronte 7S, 2-cycle mini vehicle debuts.
Nov
GS motorcycle series (400cc, 500cc, 750cc, 4-cycle) debut.
1977
Oct
Jimny 8 (LJ80) 800cc, 4-cycle subcompact 4x4 vehicle debuts.
Oct
Cervo 550cc, 2-cycle mini vehicle debuts.
1978
Jun
Osamu Suzuki is appointed as president and Jitsujiro Suzuki is appointed as chairman.
1979
May
Alto 550cc, 2-cycle mini vehicle debuts.
1980
Jan
GSX motorcycle series (250cc, 400cc, 750cc, 4- cycle) debut.
Apr
Suzuki enters the generator business.
1981
May
Jimny 4x4 mini vehicle debuts.
Oct
GSX 1100S Katana 1100cc, 4-cycle motorcycle debut in overseas markets.
1982
Apr
Suzuki and the Indian national company Maruti Udyog Ltd. sign a basic agreement on joint production of Suzuki cars.
Aug
LT125 125cc, 4-cycle all-terrain vehicle is exported.
Sep
Production of Suzuki cars begins at Pak Suzuki Motor Co., Ltd. in Karachi, Pakistan.
Oct
Suzuki signs a car production and distribution contract with the Indian national company Maruti Udyog Ltd.
Oct
Suzuki enters the general-purpose engine field.
1983
Mar
RG250Γ 250cc, 2-cycle sportbike debuts.
Oct
Swift (Cultus/Forsa/SA310), 1.0-litre passenger vehicle debuts.
Dec
Production of Suzuki cars begins at Maruti Udyog Ltd., India.
Dec
Maruti 800 compact car debuts in India.
1984
Mar
GSX-R 400cc, 4-cycle sportbike debuts.
Nov
Jimny (Samurai) 1300 4x4 vehicle series debut.
1985
Mar
GSX-R750 750cc, 4-cycle motorcycle debuts.
1986
Feb
Swift GTi 1.3-litre twin cam model debuts.
1987
Jun
DT200 EXANTÉ debuts. The first Suzuki outboard motor to receive the Innovation Award granted by the National Marine Manufacturers Association of the USA.
1988
May
Vitara (Sidekick/Escudo) 1.6-litre, 4-cycle compact 4x4 vehicle debuts.
Sep
Swift (Cultus) passenger vehicle debuts.
1990
Jan
Suzuki takes its first step into Eastern Europe by signing a basic agreement on a joint venture for car production in Hungary.
Jul
Cervo Mode 660cc, 4-cycle mini vehicle debuts.
Sep
Vitara (Sidekick/Escudo Nomado), compact 4x4 vehicle 5-door version debuts.
Oct
Company changes its name to Suzuki Motor Corporation.
1991
Feb
Carry Futura (Van and Truck) debuts in Indonesia.
Apr
Suzuki signs a car production contract in Hungary. Magyar Suzuki Corp. Ltd. is established.
Sep
Every (Carry Van) full model change and Carry Truck full model change mini vehicles debut.
Nov
Cappuccino, 2-seater convertible mini vehicle debuts.
1992
Oct
Car production begins at Magyar Suzuki in Hungary.
1993
Jul
Zen (Alto) compact car debuts.
Sep
Wagon R mini vehicle debuts.
1994
Nov
The full production begins at Sagara engine plant.
1995
Jan
Baleno (Esteem/Cultus Crescent) and Baleno sedan debuts.
Oct
X-90, 2-seater SUV debuts.
1996
Feb
Let's 50cc, 2-cycle scooter debuts.
Feb
Baleno (Esteem/Cultus Crescent) wagon debuts.
Apr
Love electric power-assist bicycle debuts.
1997
Feb
Wagon R+ (Wagon R Wide), 1.0-litre passenger vehicle debuts.
Apr
DF70/60 debuts. The industry’s first 4-stroke outboard motor with electronic fuel injection system.
Nov
Grand Vitara (Escudo), compact 4x4 vehicle debuts.
1998
Jan
Jimny full model change, compact 4x4 vehicle debuts.
Feb
Skywave 250cc scooter debuts.
Dec
DF50/40 debuts. The industry's first chain-cam outboard motor.
1999
Jan
GSX1300R Hayabusa 1300cc, 4-cycle motorcycle debuts in overseas market.
Mar
ET-4A senior car debuts.
May
Wagon R⁺ (Wagon R Wide) full model change, 1.0-litre passenger vehicle debuts.
May
Jimny canvas top full model change debuts.
2000
Jun
Masao Toda is appointed as president and COO, and Osamu Suzuki is appointed as chairman and CEO.
Sep
Ignis passenger vehicle debuts.
Dec
Grand Vitara XL-7 (Grand Escudo), 7-seater sport utility vehicle with a 2.7-litre V6 engine debuts.
2001
Jan
Liana (Aerio) passenger vehicle debuts.
Nov
Chevrolet Cruze passenger vehicle (jointly developed by Suzuki and General Motors) debuts.
Nov
Liana Sedan (Aerio Sedan) passenger vehicle debuts.
2002
Jun
Skywave 650 (Burgman) large scooter debuts.
2003
Jan
Twin, 2-seater mini vehicle debuts.
Feb
Choinori low-cost scooter debuts.
Apr
Hiroshi Tsuda is appointed as president.
Apr
Production of Ignis full model change begins at Magyar Suzuki in Hungary.
Nov
DF250 debuts. The industry's first 250HP 4-stroke outboard motor.
2004
Sep
APV minivan debuts in Indonesia.
Oct
Let's 4 50cc scooter debuts.
Nov
Swift compact car debuts as the first world strategic model.
2005
Feb
Address V125 scooter debuts.
May
Grand Vitara (Escudo), compact 4x4 vehicle debuts.
Sep
Swift Sport, sporty compact car debuts.
Oct
Town Cart motorized chair debuts.
2006
Mar
New Address V50 and Address V50G 50cc scooters debut.
Mar
SX4 crossover SUV debuts in Europe.
May
New GSR400 sportbike debuts.
Sep
XL7, midsize crossover SUV debuts.
Nov
DF300 debuts. The industry's first 300HP V6 4-stroke outboard motor.
2007
Mar
SX4 Sedan compact car debuts.
2008
Jan
Suzuki enters the FIA WRC rally.
Mar
Let's 5 scooter debuts.
Mar
Splash compact car debuts in Europe.
Mar
Swift DZire, compact sedan debuts in India.
Jul
Marine Technical Center is built in Arai-cho, Hamana-gun, Shizuoka, Japan.
Nov
Maruti Suzuki launches A-star compact car and starts exporting to other markets under the name of Alto/Celerio.
2009
Apr
Suzuki opens Suzuki Plaza museum at Hamamatsu headquarters.
Jul
Kizashi, sporty sedan debuts.
Dec
Gladius 400 ABS, 400cc motorcycle debuts.
2010
Apr
Suzuki Hamamatsu Athlete Club inaugurated.
Apr
Bandit 1250F ABS, 1250cc motorcycle debuts.
Sep
Swift full model change compact car debuts.
2011
Feb
DF50A/40A debuts. The most lightweight and compact outboard motor in its class of that time.
Dec
Swift Sport full model change, sporty compact car debuts.
2012
Jan
e-Let’s an electric scooter debuts.
Apr
Ertiga, 7-seater MPV debuts in India and Indonesia.
Jul
New on-road sportbike GSR250 debuts.
Dec
DF300AP debuts. The first "Suzuki selective rotation" which allows the propeller rotation direction to be switched between forward and reverse.
2013
Mar
SX4 S-Cross crossover SUV debuts.
Mar
GSR 750 ABS sportbike debuts.
2014
Jan
Resolved to establish an automobile manufacturing company "Suzuki Motor Gujarat Private Limited" in India.
Jan
Hustler mini vehicle debuts.
Feb
Celerio compact car debuts in India.
Feb
Burgman 200, 200cc scooter debuts.
May
DF30A/25A debuts. The lightest compact outboard motor in its class of that time.
Oct
Ciaz, midsize sedan debuts.
Oct
Vitara (Escudo), compact SUV debuts.
Dec
"Let's" and "Let's G", 50cc scooters debut.
2015
Jun
Toshihiro Suzuki is appointed as president.
Oct
Baleno, compact car debuts with new generation platform HEARTECT.
2016
Feb
Vitara Brezza, compact SUV debuts in India.
Feb
Ignis, compact crossover car debuts.
Aug
New SV650ABS sportbike debuts.
Oct
Suzuki and Toyota announce the start of exploring business partnership.
2017
Jan
Swift full model change compact car debuts.
Jan
New 150cc sportbike GIXXER debuts.
Feb
Gujarat Plant in India starts operation.
May
Dzire full model change compact sedan debuts in India.
Jun
DF350A debuts. The Suzuki’s new flagship outboard motor features contra-rotating propellers.
2018
Jan
New sportbike GSX-R125 ABS, GSX-R series debuts.
Feb
Suzuki unveils Swift full model change made in India and Thailand.
Apr
Ertiga full model change, 7-seater MPV debuts in Indonesia.
Jul
Jimny full model change, compact 4x4 vehicle debuts.
Sep
Hamamatsu Plant is built in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, Japan, and begins motorcycles production.
Oct
Suzuki unveils all-new KATANA for the overseas market.
2019
Apr
Carry full model change, small truck debuts in Indonesia.
Apr
Jimny wins "World Urban Car" category and the top three in the world status of the "World Car Design of the Year" in the 2019 World Car Awards.
Jun
Suzuki launches the Alto equipped with 660cc engine in Pakistan.
Aug
Toyota and Suzuki enter into capital alliance agreement.
Sep
S-PRESSO compact car debuts in India.
Nov
Suzuki unveils the All-New V-STROM 1050 and V-STROM 1050XT.
2020
Feb
Suzuki Marine Co., Ltd.’s S17 small fishing boat wins BEST FISHING award of the Boat of the Year Japan 2019. (For Japan market only)
Feb
XL7, 7-seater crossover car debuts in Indonesia.
Mar
Suzuki celebrates the 100th anniversary.