| 1909 |
Suzuki Loom Works is founded by Michio Suzuki in
Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Prefecture. |
| 1920 |
Business is incorporated and capitalized at 500,000
yen as Suzuki Loom Manufacturing Co. with Michio Suzuki as president. |
| 1949 |
Stock is listed on Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya stock exchanges.
1952 'Power Free' motorized bicycle (2-stroke, 36cc) is launched. |
| 1954 |
Company name is changed to Suzuki Motor Co., Ltd. |
| 1955 |
Motorcycle 'Colleda' (2-stroke, 125cc) is launched.
Mini passenger car 'Suzulight' (2-stroke, 360cc) is launched, spurring
Japan's minicar age. |
| 1958 |
"S" mark is adopted as company emblem. |
| 1960 |
Suzuki competes in the Isle of Man TT 125cc class and
wins a bronze replica. |
| 1961 |
Suzuki Loom Works K.K. is established by separation
of the loom machine division from the motor works.
Production of mini truck 'Carry' (2-stroke, 360cc) begins. |
| 1962 |
Suzuki wins the 50cc class championship in the Isle
of Man TT.
Suzuki wins the manufacturers' title in the GP World Championship
50cc class. |
| 1963 |
U.S. Suzuki Motor Corp. is established in Los Angeles. |
| 1965 |
Business is expanded into outboard motors.
Subcompact passenger car 'Fronte 800' is launched. |
| 1967 |
Thai Suzuki Motor Co., Ltd. is established as a local
assembly plant. |
| 1970 |
Mini 4x4 vehicle 'LJ10' (2-stroke, 360cc) is launched. |
| 1971 |
Mini passenger car 'Front Coupe' (2-stroke, 360cc)
is launched.
'GT750' motorcycle (2-stroke, 750cc) is launched. |
| 1973 |
Suzuki Canada Ltd. is established in Ontario, Canada. |
| 1974 |
P.T. Suzuki Indonesia Manufacturing, a joint venture
for
parts manufacturing, is established in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Business is expanded into medical equipment and the housing industry. |
| 1975 |
Suzuki captures the first of 10 consecutive World Motocross
Championships in the 125cc class. |
| 1976 |
Suzuki dominates in the 500cc World GP Championship,
capturing the manufacturers' title and the top 6 (and 11 of the first
12) places in the drivers' ranking. |
| 1977 |
Subcompact 4x4 vehicle 'LJ80' is launched. |
| 1978 |
Osamu Suzuki becomes president. |
| 1979 |
Mini vehicle 'Alto' (2-stroke, 550cc) is launched. |
| 1980 |
Suzuki Australia Pty. Ltd. is established in Sydney,
Australia.
Business is expanded into general-purpose engines: Three types of
generator are launched. |
| 1981 |
Agreements on business tie-ups are made with General
Motors Corporation (U.S.) and Isuzu Motors, Ltd. (Japan). |
| 1982 |
'GSX750S' motorcycle (4-stroke, 750cc) is launched.
'LT125' all-terrain vehicle (4-stroke, 125cc) is launched.
4WD vehicle 'SJ410' series (4-stroke, 1,000cc) is launched.
Suzuki wins its seventh consecutive 500cc World GP manufacturers'
title.
Production of Suzuki automobiles starts at PAK Suzuki Motor Co., Ltd.,
Pakistan.
Agreement is formally signed with Maruti Udyog Ltd., India, for production
and distribution of Suzuki automobiles. |
| 1983 |
1.0-litre passenger car 'Swift' is launched.
'RG250 Gamma' sportsbike (2-stroke, 250cc) is launched.
Production of Suzuki automobiles starts at Maruti Udyog Ltd., India.
Suzuki wins World Motorcycle endurance series. |
| 1984 |
Suzuki France S.A., a direct sales subsidiary, is established.
Technological assistance agreement on automobile production is signed
with China National Aerotechnology Import & Export Corporation.
Suzuki captures 10th consecutive World Motocross Championship in 125cc
class.
'SJ413' with 1.3-litre engine is launched.
Suzuki Motor GmbH Deutschland is established in Heppenheim, former
West Germany. |
| 1985 |
'GSX-R 750' sportsbike (4-stroke, 750cc) with air-cooled-with-SACS
engine is launched.
GSX-R makes debut in Le Mans 24-hour endurance race and achieves 1-2
finish.
"Samurai" is launched.
Production of 'SJ410' starts at Land-Rover Santana S.A., Spain.
Production of scooters starts at Avello S.A., Spain.
Technological tie-up agreement is signed for motorcycle production
in China. |
| 1986 |
Suzuki of America Automotive Corp. is established as
automobile distributor.
Agreement is reached with General Motors Corporation of Canada to
establish a joint-venture company. |
| 1987 |
Production of 'Swift' starts at Fabrica Colombiana
de Automotores S.A.
Aggregate automobile exports reach 2 million units. |
| 1988 |
Subcompact 4WD vehicle 'Vitara' (4-stroke, 1,600cc)
is launched. |
| 1989 |
Automobile production starts at CAMI Automotive Inc.,
Canada.
Aggregate automobile production reaches 10 million units.
Suzuki enters the twin-engine Swift in the Pikes Peak International
Hill Climb (Unlimited Division) for the first time. |
| 1990 |
Company name is changed to Suzuki Motor Corporation. |
| 1991 |
Agreement is formally signed for production of automobiles
in Hungary.
Automobile production in South Korea starts through technology tie-up
with Daewoo Shipbuilding & Heavy Machinery Ltd.
2-seat convertible 'Cappuccino' (4-stroke, 660cc) is launched. |
| 1992 |
Twin-Engine Swift wins Pikes Peak International Hill
Climb (Unlimited Division). |
| 1993 |
Production and distribution of passenger cars start
at Suzuki Egypt S.A.E.
Joint-venture agreement is formally signed for production of passenger
cars and motorcycles in China.
Opening ceremony for new automobile plant is held at Magyar Suzuki
Corp. in Esztergom, Hungary.
Mini passenger car 'Wagon R' is launched in Japan.
Wins 500cc World GP.
Twin-Engine Swift wins Pikes Peak International Hill Climb (Unlimited
Division) for the second consecutive year. |
| 1994 |
Aggregate domestic automobile sales reach 10 million
units.
Suzuki GB PLC, a wholly owned subsidiary, takes over distribution
of all Suzuki products in the United Kingdom. |
| 1995 |
Aggregate motorcycle exports reach 20 million units.
New passenger car 'Baleno' is launched.
Electric-power-assisted bicycle 'Love' is launched.
Twin-Engine Vitara is the overall champion in the Pikes Peak International
Hill Climb.
Swift GT-I wins Formula 2 Driver's Cup in Asia-Pacific Rally Championship. |
| 1996 |
Production of automobiles and motorcycles starts in
Vietnam.
Swift GT-i wins Asia-Pacific Rally Championship (second consecutive
title for Suzuki). |
| 1997 |
1,000cc wagon 'Wagon R+' is launched.
Aggregate automobile sales in overseas markets reach 10 million units.
Baleno Wagon Kit Car wins Formula 2 Driver's Cup in Asia-Pacific Rally
Championship (third consecutive title for Suzuki). |
| 1998 |
'Vitara' undergoes first full-model change and is re-introduced
under the name 'Grand Vitara'.
New compact 4x4 'Jimny' is launched.
Agreement is reached with General Motors Corporation for strengthening
the business tie-up and forming a strategic alliance.
Motorcycle engine technology is supplied to Aprilia S.p.A. in Italy.
Baleno Wagon Kit Car wins Formula 2 Driver's Cup in Asia-Pacific Rally
Championship (fourth consecutive title for Suzuki). |
| 2000 |
'Wagon R+ undergoes first full model change.
The New Multi Compact 'Ignis' is launched.
Suzuki automobile production starts at General Motors de Argentina
S.A.
Masao Toda becomes president. Osamu Suzuki becomes chairman.
Suzuki and General Motors Corporation announce new strategic alliance.
'Grand Vitara XL-7' is launched.
Wins 500cc World GP. |
| 2001 |
New passenger car 'Liana' is launched.
Use of lead is abolished in painting processes at motorcycle and automobile
plants.
Aggregate worldwide sales of 'Jimny' series reach 2 million units.
Aggregate production of Alto (since 1979) reach 4 million units at
the Kosai Plant in Japan.
Basic agreement is reached with Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. on OEM supply
of mini passenger cars.
Aggregate domestic sales of 'Wagon R' reach 1.5 million units.
Ignis Super 1600 wins Formula 2 and Super 1600 titles in Asia-Pacific
Rally Championship. |
| 2002 |
Ignis Super 1600 makes debut in FIA Junior World Rally
Championship. |
