Suzuki celebrates centennial milestone

Suzuki Motor Corporation turns 100 years old

This year, Suzuki is celebrating the centennial anniversary of its incorporation. What started out as a weaving loom factory took the name Suzuki Motor Co. in 1954. Suzuki has since evolved into one of the largest vehicle and engine manufacturers in the world.

While Michio Suzuki founded Suzuki Loom Works in 1909 (the brand celebrated 100 years of innovation back in 2009), Suzuki Loom Manufacturing Company was officially incorporated on March 15, 1920. In 1937, the company began building prototypes of small cars with intentions to enter automotive manufacturing. WWII put a wrench in those plans.

After the war, Suzuki began producing motorized bicycles, starting with the successful two-stroke, 36 cc Power Free in 1952. The company then changed its name to Suzuki Motor Co., Ltd. in 1954, moving onto creating motorcycles and cars.

In 1955, Suzuki introduced its first range of production motorcycles starting with the four-stroke, 125 cc single-cylinder Colleda COX and the two-stroke, 125 cc single-cylinder Colleda ST. That same year, Michio Suzuki also got to realize his original dream of building automobiles by launching the Suzulight SF. The famous and iconic “S” logo was chosen from over 300 submissions in 1958. Then in 1960, Suzuki joined the Isle of Man TT for the first time and all of its motorcycles completed the race.

Suzuki Motor Corporation now has 35 production facilities in 23 countries, 133 distributors in 192 countries, and over 45,000 employees. To mark its 2020 centenary, Suzuki unveiled its 100th Anniversary commemorative logo. This features three blue bars representing the company’s three main product groups (automobile, motorcycle, and marine) as well as linked zeros forming an infinity sign, signifying an infinitive future.

“This year we are celebrating our 100th anniversary. On 15th of March, 1920, Michio Suzuki founded the Suzuki Loom Manufacturing Co. in Hamamatsu. Since then, we have expanded our business from looms to motorcycles, automobiles, outboard motors, ATV’s and others, always adapting to the trend of the times as well as domestic and global markets. Your kind support at all times is truly the greatest factor that has enabled us to always be close to our customers’ daily lives and achieve the commemorative 100th anniversary,” said the two Representative Directors, Osamu Suzuki (Chairman) and Toshihiro Suzuki (President), in a joint statement.

“All members of Suzuki Motor Corporation take this as an important milestone to reaffirm the founder’s philosophy of ‘focusing on customers’ and strive to deliver products to customers across the globe. This year also marks the beginning of the next century, and we all are committed to achieving even greater business performance in such an important year. We sincerely appreciated your continuous support.”