7 replies to this topic

[mariner]

Osamu Suzuki is far less well khown than Soichiro Handa but he also had a remakable career in motorbikes and cars.

 

He was originallya bank enployee not an engineer but Suzuki cars under his giudance are always focussed on being very light and cheap, which in this EV/SUV heaveyweight age is something of an engineering novelty. The big selling Ignis weighs only 850kg

 

https://www.autocar....ew/suzuki/ignis

 

Suzki sells about 3.2M cars and 1.9M bikes a year so it is no small company. Its biggest succes is in India where it sells about 1.4M units , a 40% market share.

 

 

Suzuki has survived partnerships with botn GM and VW before returning to independence.

 

 

Most of Suzuki's cars are very light versus competiton and as a result get very good economy but who can forget the  hilclimb Suzuki Vitara , immortalised in Grand Turisimo 2 

 

https://www.youtube....h?v=TVdZr0mVOcY.

 

 

So 850kg cars and Pikes Peak monsters plus a lot of motorbike tittles , I think the guy deserves some recognition?

Edited by mariner, 04 January 2025 - 19:45.

[404KF2]

Toyotally!

[Sterzo]

Suzki sells about 3.2M cars and 1.9M bikes a year so it is no small company. Its biggest succes is in India where it sells about 1.4M units , a 40% market share.

A joint venture between Suzuki and the Indian givernment. I know a family of three who ride around Bangalore on a motor bike, dreaming of the day when they will buy a Maruti Suzuki.

[Magoo]

I owned a few big-bore Suzuki motorcycles back when. I don't think I ever owned a motor vehicle that was more finely manufactured. 

[BRG]

I only ever owned two motorcycles.  Both were Suzukis, a GT250 and a GN400, both used for commuting into central London.....until my sense of self-preservation nudged me into realising that sooner or later I was going to come a cropper in the rush-hour traffic.

[Nathan]

I don't think Suzuki sells 320,000 cars, but rest in peace.

[Magoo]

The Suzuki GS-1100 was introduced in 1980. A friend bought one and asked me if he could store it in my home shop for the winter. When he dropped it off he smirked and said, "Be sure to take it for a ride."

 

I did, and I was flabbergasted. 1100cc inline four, DOHC four-valve head, 100+ hp. It was the fasted road thing I had ever experienced. 

 

I rushed out and bought one because I was sure the govt would soon outlaw them. Low 11-second quarter mile, top speed 142+ mph. But utterly smooth and docile until you cracked it. 

 

Of course, actually it was only the beginning of the whole hyperbike trend. I don't even know how quick bikes are now. Beyond my capability or sensibility. 

 

But to the point: the internals in these engines were perfect. Jewel-like. Beautiful quality. 

[Greg Locock]

  January -
December
2023
(
(units) Year-on-Year Global production 3,224,996

 

 

2/3 built in India. That total surprises me as well. Tho thinking about it apart from the death jeeps there are a lot of Suzuki Swifts around.

Edited by Greg Locock, Today, 03:34.