Suzuki History
Added on 05-31-2006
Suzuki, as well as Toyota, has not always been a car manufacturer; its history has also begun from weaving looms. In 1909 Michio Suzuki founded a factory producing engineering tools for textiles in a Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Prefecture (the same from where Soichiro Honda was by birth). In 1920 Suzuki Loom Company was reorganized and changed its name to Suzuki Loom Manufacturing Co., and Michio Suzuki became its president.
The manufacture of engineering tools was successfully developing and growing; Suzuki even received a government award for release of the models which characteristics left behind the same of English and Dutch manufacturers. But, in spite of the success of his machines, Suzuki took the following decision: his company should also develop in other directions. In particular, it was decided to construct a small car. In 1937 the work in this field began, and in 1939 a few prototypes of compact cars were introduced; they were equipped with innovative for that time 4-cylinder and 4-stroke engines with water cooling, power of 13 h.p. and capacity less than 800 cc. But these prototypes were not able to go to the product line because World War II was approaching, and the government proclaimed civil cars a subject of far less necessity for that moment.
After the war, Suzuki reverted to weaving looms manufacture again. Since the occupational authorities encouraged cotton import to Japan and the number of orders from Japanese textile manufacturers increased, Suzuki's business went uphill until the cotton market went through crisis in 1951. Facing big difficulties, Suzuki again started reflecting on cars; to be more specific, at that moment he thought about motorcycles. In 1952 Suzuki's model was introduced - his first motorcycle Power Free of rather original design: besides a two-stroke engine of 36 cc capacity, it was also equipped with pedals that could be used to support the engine. The system was so successful, that the government granted Suzuki financial subsidy for continuation of the development. And in 1953 Diamond Free was introduced - a motorcycle with a two-stroke engine of 60 cc capacity, that won the Mount Fuji Hill Climb race in its class. So began the history of uncountable Suzuki's victories in motorcycle sport. In 1954 the company was producing 6000 motorcycles per month and changed its name to Suzuki Motor Co., Ltd. In a year the company started manufacturing of cars introducing its first model - the compact midget car Suzulight equipped with such innovations (for that time), as forward control, independent suspension and rack-and-pinion steering. In 1955 14 such cars were sold.
In 1961 the construction of Tayokawa factory was finished, the light truck Suzulight Carry was put on the market. A year later the motorcycle Suzuki won the race of Isle of Man in the class 50сс; and in 1963 the company came to the American market - its representative office U.S. Suzuki Motor Corp was opened in Los Angeles. The motorcycles Suzuki quickly gained popularity in ...
The manufacture of engineering tools was successfully developing and growing; Suzuki even received a government award for release of the models which characteristics left behind the same of English and Dutch manufacturers. But, in spite of the success of his machines, Suzuki took the following decision: his company should also develop in other directions. In particular, it was decided to construct a small car. In 1937 the work in this field began, and in 1939 a few prototypes of compact cars were introduced; they were equipped with innovative for that time 4-cylinder and 4-stroke engines with water cooling, power of 13 h.p. and capacity less than 800 cc. But these prototypes were not able to go to the product line because World War II was approaching, and the government proclaimed civil cars a subject of far less necessity for that moment.
After the war, Suzuki reverted to weaving looms manufacture again. Since the occupational authorities encouraged cotton import to Japan and the number of orders from Japanese textile manufacturers increased, Suzuki's business went uphill until the cotton market went through crisis in 1951. Facing big difficulties, Suzuki again started reflecting on cars; to be more specific, at that moment he thought about motorcycles. In 1952 Suzuki's model was introduced - his first motorcycle Power Free of rather original design: besides a two-stroke engine of 36 cc capacity, it was also equipped with pedals that could be used to support the engine. The system was so successful, that the government granted Suzuki financial subsidy for continuation of the development. And in 1953 Diamond Free was introduced - a motorcycle with a two-stroke engine of 60 cc capacity, that won the Mount Fuji Hill Climb race in its class. So began the history of uncountable Suzuki's victories in motorcycle sport. In 1954 the company was producing 6000 motorcycles per month and changed its name to Suzuki Motor Co., Ltd. In a year the company started manufacturing of cars introducing its first model - the compact midget car Suzulight equipped with such innovations (for that time), as forward control, independent suspension and rack-and-pinion steering. In 1955 14 such cars were sold.
In 1961 the construction of Tayokawa factory was finished, the light truck Suzulight Carry was put on the market. A year later the motorcycle Suzuki won the race of Isle of Man in the class 50сс; and in 1963 the company came to the American market - its representative office U.S. Suzuki Motor Corp was opened in Los Angeles. The motorcycles Suzuki quickly gained popularity in ...
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