|
 |
Suzuki
Cars
The Suzuki Loom Company
was started by Michio Suzuki. It was located in Hamamatsu,
Japan. The business was successful, selling weaving looms.
Suzuki knew that even though business was going well, he should
diversify. Recognizing a consumer demand, he came up with
the idea to build a small car. He started the project in 1937.
He completed several prototypes in two years. Innovative,
liquid cooled, four-stroke, four cylinder engines were found
in these cars.
Production of the cars
was stalled by World War II. Suzuki continued producing looms
after the war. When the cotton market collapsed, Suzuki turned
his attention back to cars. There was a need for personal
transportation after the war. Suzuki designed a motorized
bicycle. It was built to be inexpensive and easy to maintain.
A unique feature was the double-sprocket gear system. Riders
could pedal with engine assistance or without. They could
also disconnect the pedals and use just engine power. This
system was so great that Suzuki was granted a financial subsidy
to continue research in motorcycle engineering and this was
the start of Suzuki Motor Corporation.
Suzuki was manufacturing
6000 motorcycles a month by 1954. Then in 1955, they introduced
the Suzulight. This vehicle has front-wheel drive and four
–wheel independent suspension and rack and pinion steering.
They also continued motorcycle-racing efforts. For example,
they won the 50cc Grand Prix World Championship in 1962.
Suzuki brought their newest motorcycle to the US in 1963.
These motorcycles were a good value and they were reliable.
Suzuki’s X-6 Hustler was their first truly street-legal
performance machine. IT was introduced in 1966. There were
many awards won by Suzuki in off-road competitions. They continued
to design motorcycles for the road.
Suzuki formed a new company in the US in 1977. When the 80’s
rolled around, Suzuki was selling a full lineup for two-stroke
motors. They also brought forth some technological breakthroughs.
These advancements include: oil injection, dual-plug heads
and a computerized control system. Suzuki also introduced
the industry’s first three year limited warranty.
Suzuki got involved in
the all-terrain vehicle market in 1982. They created the first
four-wheel ATV. In Japan Suzuki had an established reputation
making small cars. Many of these cars where four-wheel drive.
The automotive division in the US was opened in 1985. They
offered a sport-utility vehicle becoming the first manufacturer
in the US to do so. The vehicle had off-road abilities and
four-wheel drive.
The SUV’s produced
by Suzuki were bought by hundreds of thousands of Americans.
Suzuki continued success back home. From 1997-2000 the Suzuki
Wagon R was the top-selling vehicle in Japan. They sold about
250,000 of them each year. Now Suzuki Motor Corporation is
the 12th largest automotive company in the world. Each year
they sell about 1.8 million units.
The insurance group of the
Suzuki cars range from car insurance group 5
for the Suzuki Alto, or insurance group 4 for the Ignis to
the flagship Vitara which range from insurance group
10 to 14.
|
|
|
|
