Suzuki: A Legacy of Over 100 Years of Manufacturing
Today, Suzuki is a well-known auto and motorcycle manufacturer based out of Japan. However, most people do not know how this company actually got its start. Like many other companies, Suzuki started as an industrial manufacturer of machinery, but not automobiles or motorcycles. Read on to learn more about this century-old Japanese company. Then, contact us at Sky Powersports Lakeland, located in Lakeland, Florida, for more information about Suzuki® products. We serve the Tampa and Orlando, Florida areas, too!
Suzuki Opens Its Doors
As noted earlier, Suzuki didn’t actually start manufacturing automobiles or motorcycles. When Michio Suzuki opened his company in 1909, it was actually a weaving machine company. The company did not begin in the automotive industry until the mid-1930s. Until this time, Suzuki supplied weaving equipment to fabric manufacturers in Japan and even expanded the company to start producing loom equipment in 1920.
The Fast Approaching World War II
With the second World War beginning, Suzuki began manufacturing vehicle parts, gun assemblies, and armor in 1937. Most industrial companies chose to change their strategies to supply their troops with war materials. After the war, the company started back up with textile manufacturing equipment. However, the demand for weaving and loom equipment was low since the Japanese economy was suffering. So, Suzuki had to rethink their business plan.
Move Into Automotive Industry
In 1947, Suzuki began to work on motorized vehicles. The company managed to release its Power Free, a motorized bicycle, five years later. After finding success with the Power Free, Suzuki decided to leave the weaving industry completely. The 1950s was a prosperous decade for the company, as it changed its name to the Suzuki Motor Co., Ltd. and began producing motorcycles and vehicles.
With much competition from other Japanese automakers, Toyota, Honda, and Nissan, Suzuki had to get creative. They began offering their engines as generators and installed them in boats, as well. The company launched various models throughout the 1970s and 1980s, such as the Jimny, the Alto, and the Maruti 800. In 1988, Suzuki introduced the Vitara, a fuel-efficient and reliable four-wheel-drive vehicle.
After releasing other models and changing the company’s name in the 1990s, The Suzuki Motor Corporation has enjoyed great success to this day. With many functional and versatile automotive and motorcycle models, the company has proven that perseverance and determination eventually lead to success. Currently, Suzuki is teamed with Toyota to collaborate on technological improvements, market expansion, and vehicle production projects. Visit Sky Powersports Lakeland, located in Lakeland, Florida, to browse our inventory of Suzuki products. Also, we proudly welcome customers from Tampa and Orlando, Florida!