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 For
more than 35 years, American Suzuki Motor Corporation has been a leading
player in America’s passion for motor vehicles.
After forging a reputation as a pioneer in the small SUV market,
Suzuki does it again by introducing the new 2001
XL-7, its largest and most versatile vehicle ever. The XL-7 offers
an unsurpassed combination of style, range of seating, cargo capacity
and affordability to cut through the clutter of the increasingly competitive
SUV market. With standard V6 power, impressive feature content and
versatile three-row seating, the stylish new XL-7 is a more sensibly-sized
and affordable alternative to the mammoth three-ton SUV.
In addition to the XL-7, the Suzuki line includes six more models
acclaimed by media experts for the quality of their engineering and
reliability – starting with the Grand
Vitara: a vehicle so thoroughly designed it’s been called
the next level of sport utility engineering. In fact, Motorweek named
the Grand Vitara the “Best Small SUV of the Year” in 1999,
and in 2000 it was named the Best
Small SUV by the Texas Automotive Writers Association. Also in
the mix are the sporty 2-Door
and 4-Door
Vitaras, the value-laden Esteem subcompact sedan, the award-winning
Esteem Wagon, and the economical Swift.
 For
2001, Suzuki updated its line up of more than 30 motorcycles and ATV’s
with six totally new models including the all-new GSX-R600,
the incredible GSX-R1000,
the re-designed Bandit
1200 and 1200S,
the exciting new DR-Z250,
and the stylish VL800
Intruder Volusia. Suzuki will also have an early release of the
new 2002
QuadMaster 50 with several other ATV models to follow..
On the water, Suzuki offers a full line of reliable, hard-working
outboards from 5 to 225 horsepower, to meet every type of
marine need. This includes the widest range of fuel-efficient EFI
outboard motors, including our line of clean-burning, fuel-efficient,
and award-winning 4-stroke models.
 Suzuki's commitment to the U.S.
is underscored by its corporate headquarters in Brea, California.
This modern facility, along with five satellite offices across the
country, employs hundreds of people in sales, marketing, technical
assistance, accessories and distribution, all in support of millions
of customers and more than 1,600 independently-owned Suzuki dealerships
across the country.
An Innovative Beginning
 Suzuki's rise to its current position
as a manufacturer and distributor of high-quality automobiles, sport-utility
vehicles, motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles and outboard motors would
have been hard to predict 90 years ago when the company was started
by Michio Suzuki in the small seacoast village of Hamamatsu, Japan.
At that time, Suzuki's only desire was to build better, more user-friendly
weaving looms.
For the first 30 years of the company's existence, its sole production
focus was on these exceptionally complex machines. Suzuki textile
looms were more innovative and higher in quality than competing machines
of that era, and displaced the previously dominant British and Dutch
products. Michio Suzuki was even awarded a Blue Ribbon Medal by the
government of Japan for his contribution to the growth of the nation's
economy through his industry-leading inventions.
 Despite
the success of his looms, Michio Suzuki realized that his company
had to diversify, and he began to look at other products. Focusing
on burgeoning consumer demand, he decided that building a small car
would be the most practical new venture, based on the company's financial
situation and expertise. The project began in 1937, and by 1939 several
compact prototype automobiles had been completed. These first vehicles
were powered by a Suzuki original: a then-innovative, liquid-cooled,
4-stroke, 4-cylinder engine. It featured a cast aluminum crankcase
and gearbox and generated an impressive 13 horsepower from a displacement
of less than 50 cubic inches (800cc).
Development of the project came to a halt when the government declared
civilian passenger cars to be a "non-essential commodity,"
and Suzuki was ordered to halt production. Following the conclusion
of the war in the Pacific in 1945, Suzuki once again began the production
of looms. However, because materials were scarce and demand fluctuated
wildly, Suzuki was unable to reach pre-war levels of production. In
order to ensure that the enterprise would survive, Suzuki applied
its engineering power to every product for which there was a demand:
farm implements, heaters, tools--even musical instruments.
In 1946, loom production was spurred by the U.S. government's approval
of shipping cotton to Japan. Suzuki's fortunes brightened as orders
began to increase from domestic textile manufacturers. The joy was
short-lived, however, because in 1951 the cotton market collapsed.
Faced with this colossal challenge, Michio Suzuki once again considered
the average Japanese citizen's need for inexpensive transportation,
and decided to create a new type of motor vehicle. His first effort
was a motorized bicycle called the Power Free. Designed to
be inexpensive and simple to build and maintain, the Power Free
featured a 36cc 2-stroke engine. An unprecedented feature was the
double-sprocket gear system, which enabled the rider to pedal with
the engine assisting, pedal without engine assist, or disconnect the
pedals and run with engine power alone. The system was so ingenious,
the patent office of the new democratic government granted Suzuki
a financial subsidy to continue motorcycle engineering research.
In a short time, the Power Free got a two-speed transmission,
and was joined by a more powerful 60cc version called the Diamond
Free. By 1954, Suzuki was producing 6,000 motorcycles per month
and had changed its name to Suzuki Motor Co., Ltd. The die for Suzuki's
future was cast.
 Following
the success of its first motorcycles, Suzuki created an even more
successful automobile: the 1955 Suzulight. This technological home
run included such radical innovations as front-wheel drive, 4-wheel
independent suspension and rack-and pinion steering. Today, these
features have become standard on cars throughout the world.
Quality Engineering Drives Success in U.S. Market
In 1963, Suzuki brought its newest motorcycles to America.
Success came quickly, by giving riders a new level of value and reliability
with a fast-growing line of motorcycles created for road riding, motocross,
and everything in between.
 By
the late 1970s, having established its reputation with a strong line-up
of 2-stroke bikes, Suzuki made the big transition to 4-stroke streetbikes
with the introduction of the legendary GS series. By the early 1980s,
Suzuki had firmly staked out its territory as a major player in the
market for tough, reliable, high-performance road machines.
In 1977, Suzuki took to the water, forming a company to market its
proven outboard motors in the U.S. By the 1980s, Suzuki was selling
a complete line-up of 2-stroke motors, ranging from a modest 2 horsepower
to a mighty 225 HP. Along the way, Suzuki had introduced a boatload
of technological breakthroughs: oil injection...dual-plug heads...and
MicrolinkTM, a computerized control
system for optimal engine timing. To demonstrate its confidence in
the product, Suzuki also broke through with the industry's first three-year
limited warranty -- the longest ever offered on a full line of
marine motors, then or now.
In 1982, Suzuki took the lead in the hot new market for all-terrain
vehicles by introducing the first 4-wheeled ATV, the best-selling
QuadRunner LT125. A full line of 4-wheeled ATVs soon followed.
Shortly afterward, competing manufacturers copied Suzuki's pioneering
design concept and introduced their own 4-wheeled ATVs.
Groundbreaking Technology Leads to Record Auto Sales
In 1985, Suzuki made a big breakthrough by introducing its
automotive line to the U.S. For 30 years, Suzuki had been building
a reputation in Japan as the manufacturer of the world’s best-engineered,
best-running small cars. Forging ahead of the automotive pack, Suzuki
transformed the U.S. market with the introduction of the affordable
4WD vehicle called the Samurai. Suzuki’s revolutionary sport-utility
vehicles were snapped up by hundreds of thousands of Americans who
wanted a tough, sporty, and practical means of transportation.
 In
2000, Suzuki Motor Corporation became the fastest growing Japanese
auto company in America, increasing sales by an amazing 22% over the
previous year. In Japan, Suzuki again took home top honors as maker
of the #1 selling vehicle in Japan. The Suzuki Wagon R was the top-selling
vehicle in Japan, posting sales of 244,943 and marking its fourth
consecutive year as the sales leader.
In the 16 years since Suzuki introduced its first automobiles
to the States, the line-up has gone from a single vehicle to seven,
including the all new XL-7.
This model raises the bar for the competition in terms of key features,
versatility, and a comfortable, quiet ride. The value of this practical
vehicle is evident by its long list of standard features. Check out
the XL-7 page – you’ll be impressed.
Motorcycles & ATVs Transform World Market
While Suzuki was launching the SUV boom, its motorcycles were
kick-starting the era of lightweight superbikes. Starting with the
first streetbike truly modeled on racetrack specifications, the 1986
GSX-R750, Suzuki has continuously refined the GSX-R formula in the
key 600, 750, and new-for-2001, the 1000cc displacement categories.
In 2000, Suzuki riders dominated the competition and continued
to own the racetrack on their way to winning the FIM 500cc World GP,
AMA Superbike, AMA 750 Supersport, Formula USA Unlimited Superbike
and Sportbike, and WERA Endurance championships. This year, Suzuki
introduced two new GSX-R’s: the incredible new GSX-R600
and the unbelievable GSX-R1000.
It is this dedication to continual refinement that will keep Suzuki
GSX-R’s at the front of every racetrack starting grid and first
in the hearts of serious street riders.
 Beginning
in 1960, when Suzuki was awarded the Replica Trophy for its initial
entry in the 125cc class at the famed Isle of Man TT, Suzuki riders
have waged war on racetracks around the world, netting a disproportionate
share of victories - including 10 World Championships in the premier
class of GP road racing, 27 motocross GP titles and scores of AMA
championships, plus victories at LeMans, the Bol d’Or, and class
sweeps at the circuit where it all started: The Isle of Man.
Suzuki’s commitment to the highly competitive world
of motocross is evidenced by the presence of Team Manager and five-time
World Motocross Champion, Roger
DeCoster. For 2001, Roger has formed an impressive race team including
the AMA 125cc Outdoor National Champion and freestyle Superstar, Travis
Pastrana; the talented Kevin
Windham; newcomers Danny
Smith and Rodrig
Thain; as well as the AMA’s Horizon Award Winner, Ben
Riddle.
This year, Suzuki is sure to dominate the pavement. Team
Suzuki’s Mat
Mladin returns as the reigning two-time AMA Superbike Champion,
while every other type of racing from 750 Supersport to NHRA Pro Stock
continues to be dominated by Suzuki-powered machines.
Award Winning Technology on the Water
And while Suzuki motorcycles have dominated racetracks,
Suzuki outboards have continued to win over boat owners with the best
selection--and best warranties--offered by any manufacturer.
In 1998, Suzuki introduced the industry's first 4-stroke EFI
outboards in the 60/70
horsepower class. These new motors were the first to combine clean,
quiet and efficient 4-stroke
technology with the performance of digital sequential electronic
fuel injection. These new-technology motors won the prestigious IMTEC
(International Marine Trades Exposition and Convention) Innovation
Award at McCormick Place in Chicago.
 In
1999, Suzuki went the next step and introduced the first 4-stroke
EFI outboards in the 40/50
horsepower class. In an industry first, Suzuki again won the prestigious
IMTEC Innovation Award for advancements not found on any other motors
in their class, including a 4-valves-per-cylinder/dual overhead cam
design, digital electronic fuel injection, and a pulse-tuned, long
branch intake manifold. These breakthrough products have made Suzuki
the world's leader in EFI 4-stroke outboard technology.
For 2001, Suzuki has again expanded its
advanced 4-stroke outboard line with the addition of two new models
– the DF90
and DF115. These motors bring Suzuki’s renowned electronic
fuel-injected 4-stroke efficiency, performance and reliability to
a whole new class of boaters. Now owners of offshore fishing boats,
pontoon boats, aluminum boats, fiberglass skiffs and more can enjoy
Suzuki’s advanced engineering.
The Tradition Continues
 What was once a small group of dedicated
engineers, designing the world's finest weaving machinery, has today
grown into a worldwide company of almost 15,000 people, who create
and distribute products in more than 170 nations. Worldwide, Suzuki
sells more than 1,800,000 automobiles and sport-utilities a year,
surpassing the sales of such renowned marques as BMW, Mercedes and
Saab. Suzuki motorcycles are the first choice of more than 2,000,000
riders every year. And global sales of Suzuki outboards continue to
grow.
Throughout the new century, Suzuki will continue its unique tradition
of technological trailblazing--for a unique group of customers who
appreciate solid value, superior engineering, and designs that blaze
trails for the future.
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