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Suzuki car history

The origins of Suzuki lie in loom making. Founded in 1909, the company did not produce its first car, the Suzulight, until 1955, although it had experimented with motorcycles earlier.

For the Suzulight  unsurprisingly the company made use of its motorcycle engine experience for its range of cars. The Colleda motorcycle began life in the same year. 

The loom-making and automotive sides of the business were completely separated in 1961.

In 1962 Suzuki won the 50cc class TT race on the Isle of Man 

In the late 1960s, the Fronte, sold in the UK as the SC1000, was available in Japan with either a two-stroke 539cc or four-stroke 547cc engine, mounted in the rear of a 10ft 6in body. This was followed during the 1980s by the tiny Alto, ( once Japan's top selling car) and the Swift, which in GTI form, developed into a compact hot hatch.

During the 70's Suzuki became a big name in the British market with the success of Barry Sheene on their Motorcycles.

1971's GT750 two stroke triple motorcycle was followed in 1976 by the Four cylinder fourstroke GS series 

In 1978 by the 4 wheel-drive LJ80 car and in 1979 by the first model to bear the name Alto. Having established subsidiaries in the Philippines and Indonesia, Suzuki entered into joint agreements with both GM and Isuzu in 1981.

Suzuki has always had a name for its motorcycles, and in 1982 it won the Manufacturers Championship for the sixth time at the World Motocross Grand Prix 500. 1983 was the 'RG250 Gamma' motorcycle launched and 1984 the All conquering 'GSX-R 750', with an oil-cooled engine.

Apart from the big bikes, It was probably for its small and inexpensive four-wheel-drive off-roaders that Suzuki became best known. The Jimny appeared in 1981, and quickly developed into the SJ series. These were the first of the new breed of 'leisure' vehicles; affordable, with lots of image but little performance, they caught the imagination of many in the late 80s. 

In 1987, to get round import restrictions, the smaller versions were made in Spain and renamed Santana. Though now less unique, the updated Jimny remained available beyond the millenium

In 1988, Suzuki scored another hit with the Vitara: a looker of a 4*4 vehicle with car-like comfort and performance, plus reasonable off-road ability. It was not long before rivals were catching on, but not before the long-wheelbase, 16-valve Grand Vitara appeared in 1991. 

The Vitara was joined in 1996 by the two-seater 'coupe' X-90, whose odd looks indifferent performance, and lack of practicality, were not well received.  This starnge creation could well have come from the mind of someone like Gerry Anderson, and how the Bid S thought they could sell it is anyones guess.

In 1991 car production started in Korea through technical tie-up with Daewoo. Meanwhile the tiny and quirky 'Cappuccino' two-seater convertible appeared. A very small number of these cars reached the UK.

A new venture for the company was the Wagon R+, launched in 1993. This tiny city car had an unusually high roof line, with room for four adults. Power came from a 1.0-litre all-alloy engine, with the choice of manual or four-speed automatic. It was designed to be small and cheap but to provide comfort and space. Equipment included electric power steering, dual air bags and the options of antilock brakes and air conditioning. 

While the Wagon R+ has achieved some success in the UK, at home in Japan it was a best-seller. A new version was launched in early 2000, which was built in Hungary for the European market.

By 1999, the company's toatl car production had reached 25 million units, and the establishment of a Alliance with GM sets the company's future path in the industry.

Suzuki has increased its corporate presence by spreading its production world wide, with production facilities in Vietnam and China.