Suzuki just celebrated its first century of existence on the 15th of March 2020. The company started life as the Suzuki Loom Works, but after incorporating as the Suzuki Loom Manufacturing Company in 1920, the brand began to branch out to build motorcycles, automobiles, ATVs and other items depending on the times. It changed its name to Suzuki Motor Co., Ltd in 1954 and then to Suzuki Motor Corporation in 1990.
In Japan, the company builds cars that directly rival Daihatsu’s portfolio. It made sense that in Malaysia, Proton would take on some of their vehicles to give Perodua some competition. Suzuki exited the Malaysian market in early 2016 with this purpose. Proton took on the Ertiga almost entirely unmodified from the original Suzuki design. But once Geely took the role of foreign strategic partner to the company, all efforts with Suzuki fell through and today, there is no way for Malaysians to purchase brand new Suzuki products.
Some rumours indicate that Naza may become the brand’s new guardian in Malaysia. But with so much uncertainty in the market, and clear dominance of the budget segment by Perodua, it’s unclear when or how effective Suzuki’s return will be.
PRESS RELEASE
Suzuki Motor Corporation celebrated its 100th anniversary on 15 March 2020.
Suzuki’s history goes back to 1909, when Michio Suzuki founded the Suzuki Loom Works, which is the precursor of the Suzuki Loom Manufacturing Company founded on 15 March 1920 in the present-day Hamamatsu, Shizuoka. Since then, Suzuki has expanded its business from looms to motorcycles, automobiles, outboard motors, ATV’s and others, always adapting to the trend of the times.
After changing the name to Suzuki Motor Co., Ltd. in 1954, it launched the Suzulight, the first mass-produced minivehicle in Japan, and many other products which are developed focusing on customers. The company name was changed to “Suzuki Motor Corporation” in 1990 in view of its business expansion and globalization.
The journey of 100 years was never easy. To overcome a number of crises since the foundation, all members of Suzuki united as one and continued to make the company thrive.
Suzuki has grown to a company with many fans across the globe, and even today, its unchanging spirit of manufacturing are passed on. Marking the beginning of the next century this year, all members of Suzuki are committed to achieve even greater business performance.
<Message from the management>
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.
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 achieve even greater business performance in such important year.
We sincerely appreciated your continuous support.
