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Global News

15 March 2020

Suzuki Celebrates the 100th Anniversary

Suzuki Motor Corporation celebrated its 100th anniversary on 15 March 2020.

Suzuki’s history goes back to 1909, when Michio Suzuki founded the Suzuki Loom Works, which is the precursor of the Suzuki Loom Manufacturing Company founded on 15 March 1920 in the present-day Hamamatsu, Shizuoka. Since then, Suzuki has expanded its business from looms to motorcycles, automobiles, outboard motors, ATV’s and others, always adapting to the trend of the times.
After changing the name to Suzuki Motor Co., Ltd. in 1954, it launched the Suzulight, the first mass-produced minivehicle in Japan*1, and many other products which are developed focusing on customers. The company name was changed to “Suzuki Motor Corporation” in 1990 in view of its business expansion and globalization.
The journey of 100 years was never easy. To overcome a number of crises since the foundation, all members of Suzuki united as one and continued to make the company thrive.

Suzuki has grown to a company with many fans across the globe, and even today, its unchanging spirit of manufacturing are passed on. Marking the beginning of the next century this year, all members of Suzuki are committed to achieve even greater business performance.

*1 Based on Suzuki research

<Message from the management>

This year we are celebrating our 100th anniversary.
On 15th of March, 1920, Michio Suzuki founded the Suzuki Loom Manufacturing Co. in Hamamatsu.
Since then, we have expanded our business from looms to motorcycles, automobiles, outboard motors, ATV’s and others, always adapting to the trend of the times as well as domestic and global markets.
Your kind support at all times is truly the greatest factor that has enabled us to always be close to our customers’ daily lives and achieve the commemorative 100th anniversary.
All members of Suzuki Motor Corporation take this as an important milestone to reaffirm the founder’s philosophy of “focusing on customers” and strive to deliver products to customers across the globe.
This year also marks the beginning of the next century, and we all are committed to achieve even greater business performance in such important year.
We sincerely appreciated your continuous support.

Suzuki Motor Corporation
Representative Director and Chairman
Osamu Suzuki

Representative Director and President
Toshihiro Suzuki

<Initiatives to celebrate the 100th anniversary>

1. Establishment of 100th anniversary logo

The logo was established to commemorate the 100th anniversary.

The unique shape of “0” expresses the 100 years of Suzuki, while also putting in our wish for our company to continue ∞ (infinitely). It is also a motif of tires, which represent mobility. The three lines that follow the tires express the refreshing feeling of driving, as well as each product of motorcycle, automobile, and outboard motor.

2. Opening of 100th anniversary special website

In commemoration of the 100th anniversary, the “100th anniversary special website” will be up on 15 March 2020. Information related to the 100th anniversary will be updated from time to time on the site.

https://www.globalsuzuki.com/100th/

<100 years of Suzuki>

Year Month Episode
1909 Oct. Michio Suzuki founds Suzuki Loom Works in the present-day Hamamatsu, Shizuoka.
1920 Mar. 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.
1952 June Suzuki enters the motor-vehicle field with the launch of the Power Free 36cc, 2-stroke auxiliary bicycle engine.
1954 June Company changes its name to Suzuki Motor Co., Ltd.
1955 Oct. Suzulight 360cc, 2-stroke minivehicle debuts, helping to usher in Japan’s minivehicle age.
1957 Feb. Shunzo Suzuki is appointed as President.
1958 Oct. Suzuki adopts the mark as its corporate emblem.
1960 Mar. Automobile assembly plant is completed.
1961 Aug. First export of motorcycles to Taiwan under knock-down system.
Sept. Suzuki completes a plant for minitrucks in Toyokawa, Aichi, and starts production of the Suzulight Carry 360cc, 2-stroke minitruck.
1962 June Suzuki wins the 50cc-class championship in the Isle of Man TT race.
1965 Apr. Suzuki enters the outboard motor field with the launch of D55 5.5-horsepower, 2-stroke outboard motor.
1967 Mar. Thai Suzuki Motor Co., Ltd. is established for assembly in Thailand (first motorcycle plant outside Japan).
Aug. Iwata Plant is built for automobiles in Iwata, Shizuoka.
1970 Jan. Osuka Plant is built for foundry operations in the present-day Kakegawa, Shizuoka.
Apr. Jimny 360cc, 2-stroke mini 4x4 vehicle debuts.
Oct. Kosai Plant is built for automobiles in the present-day Kosai, Shizuoka.
- Motorcycle assembly begins in Indonesia.
1971 Oct. Toyokawa Plant is built for production of medium-size and large motorcycles in Toyokawa, Aichi.
1973 May Jitsujiro Suzuki is appointed as President.
1974 Apr. Suzuki enters the medical equipment field with the launch of the Motor Chair Z600 motorized wheelchair.
1975 May Suzuki begins its first overseas car production with assembly of the Jimny 4x4 car in Pakistan.
1976 - Automobile production starts in Indonesia.
1978 June Osamu Suzuki is appointed as President.
1979 May Alto 550cc, 2-stroke minivehicle debuts.
1982 Apr. Suzuki and the Indian Government sign a basic agreement on joint production of Suzuki cars.
1983 Dec. Production of Suzuki cars begins at Maruti Udyog Ltd. in India.
1990 Oct. Company changes its name to Suzuki Motor Corporation.
1991 Apr. Suzuki signs a car production contract in Hungary. Magyar Suzuki Corp. is established.
1993 Sept. Wagon R (660cc) minivehicle debuts.
1994 Nov. Sagara engine plant is completed in the present-day Makinohara, Shizuoka.
2000 June Masao Toda is appointed as President and COO, and Osamu Suzuki is appointed as Chairman and CEO.
2002 May Suzuki gains a majority stake in Indian automaker Maruti Udyog Ltd.
2003 Apr. Hiroshi Tsuda is appointed as President and COO.
2007 July Suzuki changes the name of its Indian subsidiary to Maruti Suzuki.
2008 July Sagara Plant (automobile assembly plant) is completed in Makinohara, Shizuoka.
2015 June Toshihiro Suzuki is appointed as President.
2016 Oct. Suzuki and Toyota announce the start of exploring business partnership.
2017 Feb. Gujarat plant in India starts operation.
Toyota and Suzuki conclude memorandum toward business partnership.
2018 Mar. Toyota and Suzuki reach basic agreement toward mutual supply of hybrid and other vehicles in India.
Sept. Hamamatsu Plant is built in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, and begins motorcycles production.
2019 Aug. Toyota and Suzuki enter into capital alliance agreement.