Suzuki Turns 100

Audi is not the only car company that is celebrating its centennial anniversary. Turns out that Suzuki too is turning 100 this year. Suzuki's history can be traced back to 1909, when Michio Suzuki founded Suzuki Loom Company in the sleepy fishing village of Hamatsu, Japan.

Both Toyota and Suzuki shared a common history, in that both were founded as a weaving loom maker. However Sakichi Toyoda did not start his business at Toyoda Automatic Loom Works, Ltd. until 1926, almost 2 decade later than Suzuki, in another city called Aichi. Interestingly, Suzuki and Honda are the only two companies in the world that can boast of manufacturing almost every single type of internal combustion engine, from two strokes to four strokes, automobile, motorcycle and marine outboard engines.

Two of Suzuki's president and former president were ushered into the Suzuki empire via arranged marriages with the patriarch Suzuki. Founder Michio Suzuki did not have a son and in a typical patriarchal family run business, only males are selected to run a company. Shunzo Suzuki married one of Michio Suzuki's daughters and inherited his wife's family surname. Shunzo would later be credited for inventing Suzuki's first motorcycle - the 1952 PowerFree motorized bicycle.


The next President would be Jitsujiro Suzuki but not much is written about him. The eldest daughter of Michio Suzuki had five daughters. With no male heir in sight, an arranged marriage was made between Osamu Matsuda, a former banker with Michio's granddaughter, Shoko Suzuki. Osamu Matsuda would adopt his wife's surname. Osamu Suzuki continues to lead Suzuki Motor Co. until today.


Suzuki's first car - the 1955 Suzulight, powered by a two stroke 360cc front wheel drive minicar. It broke new grounds in passenger car packaging as FWD was still a rarity in those time.


Suzuki's first 4x4 - the 1968 LJ10.


Did you know Suzuki makes the best selling car in Japan - the Wagon-R, but for some reason, the Japan Automobile Manufacturer's Association (JAMA) does not include registration figures kei cars into the their final sales tally. JAMA would list Honda Fit (Jazz) as Japan's best selling car for 2008.



Besides making Japan's favourite car, Suzuki also makes the two best selling cars in India; Maruti 800 and Maruti Alto. India is also Suzuki's most successful overseas venture, via a joint venture with local partner Maruti. Suzuki's unique position of offering motorbikes as well as cars puts them in a strong position to keep existing Suzuki motorcycle owners upgrading to their first car. India's burgeoning car market are made up mostly first time car buyers and the new middle class, whose family never owned a car before.