A Quick History - Suzuki

Suzuki is a transportation manufacturer in Japan known for their compact cars, 4x4's, motorcycles, ATVs, engines, and wheelchairs. They are the fourth largest car company in Japan and ninth in the world.

Michio Suzuki

The company got it's start as Suzuki Loom Works by Michio Suzuki. They built looms for Japan's huge silk industry. In 1929, he invented a new weaving machine which was exported around the world. Suzuki spent over thirty years focusing solely on looms and had over 120 patents and rights. Even though he was very successful, he realized he could grow the company if they branched out elsewhere.

Suzuki Loom Works

Customer demand at the time was for cars. He started new designs in 1937 and two years later, he had several prototypes. World War II put a hold on his plans though as the government deemed vehicles that weren't for the military, unnecessary. Suzuki went back to looms after the war. There had been a huge boost in the cotton market, as the United States government had approved cotton shipments to Japan. This did not last long though, as that market declined in 1951.

A Suzuki Loom

It was then he turned back to transportation. Post war Japan had a large demand for cars at this point. He designed a bicycle with a motor attached known as “Power Free”. It could run solely on the engine if the rider didn't wish to pedal. The Japanese government was so impressed, they gave him money to research motorcycles.

1954 Suzuki Colleda

By 1954, Suzuki was producing 6,000 motorcycles a month and he officially changed the company's name to Suzuki Motor Co. After months of success with the motorcycles, he turned to cars again and came out with a new one in 1955. They were immediately known for their innovation.

Suzuki would go on to become a successful car company and introduce new models throughout the years. Today, Volkswagen is their biggest shareholder.

2014 Suzuki SX4

Sources: Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suzuki; News Motorcycle, http://news-motorcycle.com/articles/6/19.html; Japan Coolture, http://www.japancoolture.com/it/dai_telai_per_il_cotone_ai_telai_da_corsa_suzuki; Auto Centre, http://www.autocentre.ua/ac/auto/authority/sotkannyy-uspekh-15930.html; Car and Driver, http://www.caranddriver.com/photo-gallery/2014-suzuki-sx4-suzuki-still-produces-autos-just-not-for-us-2013-geneva-auto-show;