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SUZUKI

Suzuki is a Japanese manufacturer of cars, off-road vehicles and ATV’s, a variety of motorbikes and multipurpose engines. Founded in 1909, Suzuki is a major player in the international automobile market and is a favorite of off-road enthusiasts for their well-designed all-terrain vehicles.

Suzuki began its existence as Suzuki Loom Works, and during the company’s heyday founder Michio Suzuki came up with a new design for commercial weaving machines; the innovative device was so popular that it led to a robust exporting business during which time the new weaving devices were sold to buyers around the globe.

By 1937, Suzuki’s priorities had shifted to new products and markets, resulting in the production of a consumer-grade car for the average buyer. The onset of World War II unfortunately prompted Japanese authorities to prioritize the manufacture of weaponry and military vehicles, however the United States allowed cotton to enter Japan and Suzuki benefitted from the ensuing need for looms and related accessories.

By the mid-1950s, Suzuki was manufacturing thousands of motorbikes monthly and continuing to expand its automobile offerings. During the 1960s, Suzuki regularly entered its motorcycles into regional and international racing events, and in 1963 the company opened a division in the United States in order to compete in the domestic market. In the 1970s Suzuki opened more production facilities for its cars and motorcycles in Japan, solidifying their manufacturing base in the country, followed by support facilities for parts and dealership support in Canada.

General Motors made a substantial investment in Suzuki in 1981, acquiring 5.3% of the company and beginning a new era of cooperation and mutual development between the two companies. Nearly 30 years later, in 2010, German carmaker Volkswagen would acquire nearly 20% of Suzuki, becoming the company’s largest shareholder in the process.

Sales of Suzuki vehicles in the United States reached a high point in the late 2000s before dropping off precipitously following the financial crisis, prompting Suzuki’s American subsidiary American Suzuki Motor Corp. to declare bankruptcy in 2012. The company’s manufacturing and aftermarket support businesses in Canada were also halted as part of the bankruptcy proceedings. Suzuki was forced to weather a final challenge in 2013, when the company recalled over 200,000 motorbikes due to a potential front-brake defect. Despite these difficulties and the dissolution of Suzuki’s North American operations, the company’s cars and motorcycles continue to have a wide appeal in the used vehicle market. One of Suzuki’s final car models, the 2013 Kizashi, received some favorable reviews for its performance and safety, however is regarded as lacking in terms of reliability.