Suzuki

Group

History

Suzuki is made known on the automobile market during the Années 1960. However, its origins are in 1909, when Suzuki Michio founds “Suzuki Looms Works” close to Hamamatsu (浜松) (prefecture of Shizuoka/Japan). At that time, it concentrated only on sewing machines and to weave intended for textile industry.

1952 sees appearing the first Motocyclette Suzuki animated of small a Moteur at two times of 36 cm ³ called “Power Free”. The transmission was carried out by a Courroie. Thanks to this motor cycle and with the range which will result from this, Suzuki can be made a place on the commercial and sporting scene.

In 1954, the firm takes the name of “Suzuki Motors” and presents its first car model, the “Suzulight” (スズライト) which left only to 43 specimens.

In 1962, the firm reaches finally a decent production while leaving the factories 2 565 Suzulight 30 TL. Thanks to this success, the firm will open factories in the cities Japan following eases: Toyama (冨山), Iwata (磐田), Osuka (大須賀) and Kosai (湖西). The production, also will diversify and Suzuki will be able to propose with its customers, not only motor cycles and cars, but also of the commercial vehicles, engines of Bateau or of the prefabricated houses.

During the years 70, the models “Fronte” (in different variations such as the 360 or the Viola) or “Jimmy” (small cross-country) makes it possible to widen exports and thus to make known the mark, amongst other things on the American continent . In 1981, Suzuki makes an agreement with General Motors to answer the increasing demand of “small cars” to the the United States.

Of needle and thread, collaboration is done increasingly strong, and, with the assistance of Isuzu (subsidiary Japanese woman of General Motors), one sees the birth of a car of 993 cm ³ which will be sold in Japan under the name of “Suzuki Cultus”, to the the United States, under the name of “Chevrolet Sprint”.

In 1983, Suzuki exports its models in the United States under the mark Geo, with the benevolence of General Motors. Suzuki takes also a big part in the capital of the Indian company Maruti.

It is also at the same time that Suzuki contacts Land Rover so that this last factory under license, the “Jimny”, then its downward, the “Vitara”.

In 1995, the total production of Suzuki reached more than 975.000 cars.

Competition

As of the Sixties, Suzuki shone in Grand Prix.

In 1964, Suzuki leaves one 50 cm ³ two times to two cylinders, rotary feeders, box 14 speeds and liquid cooling. This machine will have many successes until 1968.

In 1967, Suzuki leaves one 125 cm ³ to four cylinders, using the same technique as 50 cm ³.

Many pilots, such Barry Sheene or Kevin Schwantz, world champion 500 in 1994 and Kenny Roberts Jr, world champion 500 in 2000, defended the mark in Grand Prix.

In Motocross, Suzuki can be enorgueillir to be the mark having the most championship of the World.

In Championship of the Superbike World, the autralien Troy Corser gained the title with the handlebar of a GSX-R 1000 in 2005.

Today, Suzuki also proves reliable with the Master Of Endurance (championship made up of 6 races of which 24 hours of Mans motor bike). The official TEAM names Suzuki Endurance Racing TEAM and Dominique Méliand is the TEAM Manager. To note that Suzuki is the single mark to have gained the 24:00 of Mans 3 times of continuation.

Models of motor bikes

Gallery

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