Suzuki to consolidate its motorcycle business in Hamamatsu

Suzuki Motor Corporation has decided to purchase land in Miyakoda Industrial Park located in north of central Hamamatsu, which was developed by Shizuoka Prefecture and Hamamatsu City, and has decided to construct the “Miyakoda Technical Center (tentative)” for the development and engineering of motorcycles and next-generation environmental vehicles, and the “Miyakoda Plant (tentative)” for the assembly of motorcycle engines.

The motorcycle development and engineering departments in the current Motorcycle Technical Center (located in Iwata City, Shizuoka Prefecture), as well as the development department in the Hamamatsu Headquarter, which is in charge of developing next-generation environmental vehicles such as EV and HEV, are scheduled to be transferred to “Miyakoda Technical Center (tentative)” with a goal to start its operation in 2016.

The “Miyakoda Plant (tentative)” is scheduled to start its operation in 2017. The plant is planned to have assembly of motorcycle engines, and is also considering producing vehicles such as next-generation environmental vehicles.

Since the current Motorcycle Technical Center is 200 meters away from the sea, with the lesson learned from the earthquake which hit Japan in March 2011, Suzuki will disperse the risks from the anticipated Tokai earthquake, assumed to occur in the Tokai district, the area Suzuki’s hub is concentrated. Also, Suzuki will restructure its domestic motorcycle development and production bases and consolidate their function in Hamamatsu to improve its efficiency.

Overview of construction plan in Miyakoda