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History of Suzuki Motor Cars / Automobiles |
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- 8.11.11. Suzuki
- In 1909 Michio Suzuki founded the Suzuki Loom Company.
- Between 1937 and 1939 the company produced several 13 hp (9.7 kW) prototype cars. These compact, less than 800 cc, cars were fitted with a then advanced liquid cooled 4-stroke, 4-cylinder engine.
- The name Suzuki Motor Company was adopted in 1954.
- The company produced its first production car, the front-wheel 360 cc, 2-stroke Suzulight model in 1955. When did production cease? How many made?
- A model called the Cervo, also called the SC100 and Whizzkid, was produced from 1977 to 1982.
- The company manufactured their first Alto kei car in 1979. The 1,061 cc 62 hp (46 kW) model, which had a top speed of 94 mph (150 kph), was produced until 1984.
- Other versions include the 796 cc Mk II, which was marketed in Europe as the SB308 Alto, and the turbocharged 660 cc Alto Works, RS-X and RS-R.
- The Alto has been produced in India by Maruti Udyog (Maruti 800, Alto and Zen), in Pakistan by Pak Suzuki (800 cc Mehran and 1,000 cc Alto) and in China by the Jiangnan Automobile Corporation (Mk II Suzuki Alto SB308).
- By 2001 four million Alto cars had been made.
- In 1983 the company introduced the Cultus model. The car was originally supplied with either a 993 cc or 1,324 cc engine.
- The Crescent, a 4 in (10 cm) longer version of the Cultus, was produced from 1995 to 2002.
- The Cultus, also called the Esteem and, in India, the Maruti Baleno, was still being produced in 2007.
- From January 2003 until October 2005 Suzuki produced the “Twin”, a kei car that was also available as a hybrid. In addition to a 658 cc engine, the hybrid version was fitted with a 7 hp (5 kW) electric motor.
- The car, which had a top speed of 75 mph (120 kph), was reported to be capable of achieving 94 miles/gallon (33.4 km/litre).
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