Suzuki

Lore & Background

In 1909, Michio Suzuki founded the Suzuki Loom Works in Hamamatsu, Japan. The company's first 30 years focused on weaving looms. In 1937, Suzuki began a project to build a small car, but World War II halted production. After the war, Suzuki returned to motor vehicles, introducing the 'Power Free' motorized bicycle in 1952. By 1954, Suzuki was producing 6,000 motorcycles per month and changed its name to Suzuki Motor Co., Ltd. In 1955, it introduced the Suzulight, a front-wheel drive minivehicle. Suzuki entered motorcycle Grands Prix in 1960 under the manufacturing name Colleda, and in 1962 won its first victory in the 50 cc Grand Prix class. The company later became known for models such as the Hayabusa and GSX-R motorcycles, and for dominating racetracks around the world. Suzuki no longer sells cars in Canada and the United States.

Reader's Guide

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Did You Know?

• Suzuki's first two-wheeled vehicle was the 1952 Power Free, a bicycle fitted with a 36 cc, one horsepower, two-stroke engine.
• Suzuki won its first Grand Prix victory in the 50 cc class at the Isle of Man TT in 1962.