100th Anniversary

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.

Select category *Information shown on this page may vary according to market.

Oct 1909

Michio Suzuki founds Suzuki Loom Works in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan.

1920

Mar

Company is reorganized, incorporated and capitalized at ¥500,000 as Suzuki Loom Manufacturing Co. with Michio Suzuki as president.

1920_Company is reorganized, incorporated and capitalized at ¥500,000 as Suzuki Loom Manufacturing Co. with Michio Suzuki as president.
1920_Company is reorganized, incorporated and capitalized at ¥500,000 as Suzuki Loom Manufacturing Co. with Michio Suzuki as president.

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.

1952_suzuki_Power Free

1953

Mar

Diamond Free 60cc, 2-cycle auxiliary bicycle engine debuts and its monthly production exceeds 6,000 units amid a bike boom.

1953_suzuki_Diamond Free

1954

Jun

Company changes its name to Suzuki Motor Co., Ltd.

1954_Company changes its name to Suzuki Motor Co., Ltd.

1955

Mar

Colleda 125cc, 4-cycle motorcycle debuts.

1955_suzuki_Colleda

Oct

Suzulight 360cc, 2-cycle mini vehicle debuts, helping to usher in Japan's mini vehicle age.

1955_suzuki_Suzulight

1957

Feb

Shunzo Suzuki is appointed as president and Michio Suzuki is appointed as adviser.

1958

Oct

Suzuki adopts the S mark as its corporate emblem.

1959

Jul

Suzulight TL, the first vehicle exported to overseas market, debuts.

1959_suzuki_Suzulight TL

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.

1961_suzuki_Suzulight Carry

1962

Mar

Suzuki adopts company's mission statement

1962_Suzuki adopts company's mission statement

Jun

Suzuki wins the 50cc-class championship in the Isle of Man TT race.

1962_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.

1963_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.

1965_suzuki_D55
1965_suzuki_D55

Aug

Fronte 800, 2-cycle subcompact passenger vehicle debuts.

1965_suzuki_Fronte

1967

Mar

Thai Suzuki Motor Co., Ltd. is established for assembly in Thailand. (First motorcycle plant outside Japan)

1967_Thai Suzuki Motor Co., Ltd. is established for assembly in Thailand. (First motorcycle plant outside Japan)

Apr

Fronte 360cc, 2-cycle mini vehicle debuts.

1967_suzuki_Fronte

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.

1970_suzuki_Jimny

1971

Sep

Fronte Coupe 360cc, 2-cycle mini vehicle debuts.

1971_suzuki_Fronte Coupe

Sep

GT750 750cc, 2-cycle motorcycle debut.

1971_suzuki_GT750

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.

1972_suzuki_GT380

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.

1974_suzuki_Motor Chair Z600

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.

1974_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.

1976_suzuki_Carry Van and Carry Truck
1976_suzuki_Carry Van and Carry Truck

Jun

Fronte 7S, 2-cycle mini vehicle debuts.

1976_suzuki_Fronte 7S

Nov

GS motorcycle series (400cc, 500cc, 750cc, 4-cycle) debut.

1976_suzuki_GS motorcycle series

1977

Oct

Jimny 8 (LJ80) 800cc, 4-cycle subcompact 4x4 vehicle debuts.

1977_suzuki_Jimny 8

Oct

Cervo 550cc, 2-cycle mini vehicle debuts.

1977_suzuki_Cervo

1978

Jun

Osamu Suzuki is appointed as president and Jitsujiro Suzuki is appointed as chairman.

1979

May

Alto 550cc, 2-cycle mini vehicle debuts.

1979_suzuki_Alto

1980

Jan

GSX motorcycle series (250cc, 400cc, 750cc, 4- cycle) debut.

1980_suzuki_GSX motorcycle series
1980_suzuki_GSX motorcycle series
1980_suzuki_GSX motorcycle series

Apr

Suzuki enters the generator business.

1980_Suzuki enters the generator business.

1981

May

Jimny 4x4 mini vehicle debuts.

1981_suzuki_Jimny

Oct

GSX 1100S Katana 1100cc, 4-cycle motorcycle debut in overseas markets.

1981_suzuki_GSX 1100S Katana

1982

Apr

Suzuki and the Indian national company Maruti Udyog Ltd. sign a basic agreement on joint production of Suzuki cars.

1982_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.

1982_suzuki_LT125

Sep

Production of Suzuki cars begins at Pak Suzuki Motor Co., Ltd. in Karachi, Pakistan.

1982_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.

1982_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.

1983_suzuki_RG250Γ

Oct

Swift (Cultus/Forsa/SA310), 1.0-litre passenger vehicle debuts.

1983_suzuki_Swift

Dec

Production of Suzuki cars begins at Maruti Udyog Ltd., India.

1983_Production of Suzuki cars begins at Maruti Udyog Ltd., India.

Dec

Maruti 800 compact car debuts in India.

1983_suzuki_Maruti

1984

Mar

GSX-R 400cc, 4-cycle sportbike debuts.

1984_suzuki_GSX-R

Nov

Jimny (Samurai) 1300 4x4 vehicle series debut.

1984_suzuki_Jimny 1300
1984_suzuki_Jimny 1300

1985

Mar

GSX-R750 750cc, 4-cycle motorcycle debuts.

1985_suzuki_GSX-R750

1986

Feb

Swift GTi 1.3-litre twin cam model debuts.

1986_suzuki_Swift

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.

1987_suzuki_DT200 EXANTÉ

1988

May

Vitara (Sidekick/Escudo) 1.6-litre, 4-cycle compact 4x4 vehicle debuts.

1988_suzuki_Vitara
1988_suzuki_Vitara

Sep

Swift (Cultus) passenger vehicle debuts.

1988_suzuki_Vitara

1990

Jan

Suzuki takes its first step into Eastern Europe by signing a basic agreement on a joint venture for car production in Hungary.

1990_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.

1990_suzuki_Cervo Mod

Sep

Vitara (Sidekick/Escudo Nomado), compact 4x4 vehicle 5-door version debuts.

1990_suzuki_Vitara

Oct

Company changes its name to Suzuki Motor Corporation.

1991

Feb

Carry Futura (Van and Truck) debuts in Indonesia.

1991_suzuki_Carry Futura

Apr

Suzuki signs a car production contract in Hungary. Magyar Suzuki Corp. Ltd. is established.

1991_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.

1991_suzuki_New Every and new Carry
1991_suzuki_New Every and new Carry

Nov

Cappuccino, 2-seater convertible mini vehicle debuts.

1991_suzuki_Cappuccino

1992

Oct

Car production begins at Magyar Suzuki in Hungary.

1992_Car production begins at Magyar Suzuki in Hungary.

1993

Jul

Zen (Alto) compact car debuts.

1993_suzuki_ZEN

Sep

Wagon R mini vehicle debuts.

1993_suzuki_Wagon R

1994

Nov

The full production begins at Sagara engine plant.

1995

Jan

Baleno (Esteem/Cultus Crescent) and Baleno sedan debuts.

1995_suzuki_Baleno
1995_suzuki_Baleno

Oct

X-90, 2-seater SUV debuts.

1995_suzuki_X-90

1996

Feb

Let's 50cc, 2-cycle scooter debuts.

1996_suzuki_Let's

Feb

Baleno (Esteem/Cultus Crescent) wagon debuts.

1996_suzuki_Baleno

Apr

Love electric power-assist bicycle debuts.

1996_suzuki_Love

1997

Feb

Wagon R+ (Wagon R Wide), 1.0-litre passenger vehicle debuts.

1997_suzuki_Wagon R+

Apr

DF70/60 debuts. The industry’s first 4-stroke outboard motor with electronic fuel injection system.

1997_suzuki_DF70/60

Nov

Grand Vitara (Escudo), compact 4x4 vehicle debuts.

1997_suzuki_Grand Vitara

1998

Jan

Jimny full model change, compact 4x4 vehicle debuts.

1998_suzuki_Jimny

Feb

Skywave 250cc scooter debuts.

1998_suzuki_Skywave

Dec

DF50/40 debuts. The industry's first chain-cam outboard motor.

1998_suzuki_DF50/40

1999

Jan

GSX1300R Hayabusa 1300cc, 4-cycle motorcycle debuts in overseas market.

Mar

ET-4A senior car debuts.

1999_suzuki_ET-4A

May

Wagon R⁺ (Wagon R Wide) full model change, 1.0-litre passenger vehicle debuts.

1999_suzuki_Wagon R⁺

May

Jimny canvas top full model change debuts.

1999_suzuki_Jimny

2000

Jun

Masao Toda is appointed as president and COO, and Osamu Suzuki is appointed as chairman and CEO.

Sep

Ignis passenger vehicle debuts.

2000_suzuki_Ignis

Dec

Grand Vitara XL-7 (Grand Escudo), 7-seater sport utility vehicle with a 2.7-litre V6 engine debuts.

2000_suzuki_Grand Vitara XL-7

2001

Jan

Liana (Aerio) passenger vehicle debuts.

2001_suzuki_Liana

Nov

Chevrolet Cruze passenger vehicle (jointly developed by Suzuki and General Motors) debuts.

2001_suzuki_Chevrolet Cruze

Nov

Liana Sedan (Aerio Sedan) passenger vehicle debuts.

2001_suzuki_Liana Sedan

2002

Jun

Skywave 650 (Burgman) large scooter debuts.

2002_suzuki_Skywave 650

2003

Jan

Twin, 2-seater mini vehicle debuts.

2003_suzuki_Twin

Feb

Choinori low-cost scooter debuts.

2003_suzuki_Choinori

Apr

Hiroshi Tsuda is appointed as president.

Apr

Production of Ignis full model change begins at Magyar Suzuki in Hungary.

2003_suzuki_Ignis

Nov

DF250 debuts. The industry's first 250HP 4-stroke outboard motor.

2003_suzuki_DF250

2004

Sep

APV minivan debuts in Indonesia.

2004_suzuki_APV minivan

Oct

Let's 4 50cc scooter debuts.

2004_suzuki_Let's 4

Nov

Swift compact car debuts as the first world strategic model.

2004_suzuki_Swift

2005

Feb

Address V125 scooter debuts.

2005_suzuki_Address V125

May

Grand Vitara (Escudo), compact 4x4 vehicle debuts.

2005_suzuki_Grand Vitara

Sep

Swift Sport, sporty compact car debuts.

2005_suzuki_Swift Sport

Oct

Town Cart motorized chair debuts.

2005_suzuki_Town Cart

2006

Mar

New Address V50 and Address V50G 50cc scooters debut.

2006_suzuki_Address V50,Address V50G
2006_suzuki_Address V50,Address V50G

Mar

SX4 crossover SUV debuts in Europe.

2006_suzuki_SX4

May

New GSR400 sportbike debuts.

2006_suzuki_GSR400

Sep

XL7, midsize crossover SUV debuts.

2006_suzuki_XL7

Nov

DF300 debuts. The industry's first 300HP V6 4-stroke outboard motor.

2006_suzuki_DF300

2007

Mar

SX4 Sedan compact car debuts.

2007_suzuki_SX4 Sedan

2008

Jan

Suzuki enters the FIA WRC rally.

2008_Suzuki enters the FIA WRC rally.

Mar

Let's 5 scooter debuts.

2008_suzuki_Let's 5

Mar

Splash compact car debuts in Europe.

2008_suzuki_Splash

Mar

Swift DZire, compact sedan debuts in India.

2008_suzuki_Swift DZire

Jul

Marine Technical Center is built in Arai-cho, Hamana-gun, Shizuoka, Japan.

2008_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.

2008_suzuki_A-star
2008_suzuki_A-star

2009

Apr

Suzuki opens Suzuki Plaza museum at Hamamatsu headquarters.

2009_Suzuki opens Suzuki Plaza museum at Hamamatsu headquarters.

Jul

Kizashi, sporty sedan debuts.

2009_suzuki_Kizashi

Dec

Gladius 400 ABS, 400cc motorcycle debuts.

2009_suzuki_Gladius 400 ABS

2010

Apr

Suzuki Hamamatsu Athlete Club inaugurated.

Apr

Bandit 1250F ABS, 1250cc motorcycle debuts.

2010_suzuki_Bandit 1250F ABS

Sep

Swift full model change compact car debuts.

2010_suzuki_Swift

2011

Feb

DF50A/40A debuts. The most lightweight and compact outboard motor in its class of that time.

2011_suzuki_DF50A/40A

Dec

Swift Sport full model change, sporty compact car debuts.

2011_suzuki_Swift Sport

2012

Jan

e-Let’s an electric scooter debuts.

2012_suzuki_e-Let's

Apr

Ertiga, 7-seater MPV debuts in India and Indonesia.

2012_suzuki_Ertiga

Jul

New on-road sportbike GSR250 debuts.

2012_suzuki_GSR250

Dec

DF300AP debuts. The first "Suzuki selective rotation" which allows the propeller rotation direction to be switched between forward and reverse.

2012_suzuki_DF300AP

2013

Mar

SX4 S-Cross crossover SUV debuts.

2013_suzuki_SX4 S-CROSS

Mar

GSR 750 ABS sportbike debuts.

2013_suzuki_GSR 750 ABS

2014

Jan

Resolved to establish an automobile manufacturing company "Suzuki Motor Gujarat Private Limited" in India.

Jan

Hustler mini vehicle debuts.

2014_suzuki_Hustler

Feb

Celerio compact car debuts in India.

2014_suzuki_Celerio

Feb

Burgman 200, 200cc scooter debuts.

2014_suzuki_Burgman 200

May

DF30A/25A debuts. The lightest compact outboard motor in its class of that time.

2014_suzuki_DF30A/25A

Oct

Ciaz, midsize sedan debuts.

2014_suzuki_Ciaz

Oct

Vitara (Escudo), compact SUV debuts.

2014_suzuki_Vitara

Dec

"Let's" and "Let's G", 50cc scooters debut.

2014_suzuki_Let's,Let's G
2014_suzuki_Let's,Let's G

2015

Jun

Toshihiro Suzuki is appointed as president.

Oct

Baleno, compact car debuts with new generation platform HEARTECT.

2015_suzuki_Baleno

2016

Feb

Vitara Brezza, compact SUV debuts in India.

2016_suzuki_Vitara Brezza

Feb

Ignis, compact crossover car debuts.

2016_suzuki_Ignis

Aug

New SV650ABS sportbike debuts.

2016_suzuki_SV650 ABS

Oct

Suzuki and Toyota announce the start of exploring business partnership.

2017

Jan

Swift full model change compact car debuts.

2017_suzuki_Swift

Jan

New 150cc sportbike GIXXER debuts.

2017_suzuki_GIXXER

Feb

Gujarat Plant in India starts operation.

2017_Gujarat Plant in India starts operation.

May

Dzire full model change compact sedan debuts in India.

2017_suzuki_Dzire

Jun

DF350A debuts. The Suzuki’s new flagship outboard motor features contra-rotating propellers.

2017_suzuki_DF350A

2018

Jan

New sportbike GSX-R125 ABS, GSX-R series debuts.

2018_suzuki_GSX-R125 ABS

Feb

Suzuki unveils Swift full model change made in India and Thailand.

2018_suzuki_Swift
2018_suzuki_Swift

Apr

Ertiga full model change, 7-seater MPV debuts in Indonesia.

2018_suzuki_Ertiga

Jul

Jimny full model change, compact 4x4 vehicle debuts.

2018_suzuki_Jimny

Sep

Hamamatsu Plant is built in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, Japan, and begins motorcycles production.

2018_Hamamatsu Plant is built in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, Japan, and begins motorcycles production.

Oct

Suzuki unveils all-new KATANA for the overseas market.

2018_suzuki_KATANA

2019

Apr

Carry full model change, small truck debuts in Indonesia.

2019_suzuki_Carry

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.

2019_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.

2019_suzuki_Alto

Aug

Toyota and Suzuki enter into capital alliance agreement.

Sep

S-PRESSO compact car debuts in India.

2019_suzuki_S-PRESSO

Nov

Suzuki unveils the All-New V-STROM 1050 and V-STROM 1050XT.

2019_suzuki_V-STROM,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)

2020_suzuki_S17

Feb

XL7, 7-seater crossover car debuts in Indonesia.

2020_suzuki_XL7

Mar

Suzuki celebrates the 100th anniversary.

2020_Suzuki celebrates the 100th anniversary.