Suzuki began with weaving looms and ended up with a line of cars, trucks and 4X4 vehicles that everyone recognizes easily. The journey was not a quick one. Founder Michio Suzuki was unable to dive into the automobile market as quickly as he would have liked. Instead he focused on his weaving looms until the market crashed. From there, he explored motorcycles. This is another of Suzuki's consistent performers. The first motorcycle was released in 1952, only nine years before the first Suzuki ... (full review continues below)
Suzuki began with weaving looms and ended up with a line of cars, trucks and 4X4 vehicles that everyone recognizes easily. The journey was not a quick one. Founder Michio Suzuki was unable to dive into the automobile market as quickly as he would have liked. Instead he focused on his weaving looms until the market crashed. From there, he explored motorcycles. This is another of Suzuki's consistent performers. The first motorcycle was released in 1952, only nine years before the first Suzuki truck. Since then there have been many models of sedan, SUV and truck created by the company.
The Suzuki truck is not the most popular of its line of vehicles, but it still maintains the high quality and features that are expected from the company. There have not been as many trucks manufactured by Suzuki as there has been cars, motorcycles and SUVs. However, the ones that have been produced have remained strong in the market and have left a positive impression on customers. There are currently two still available for sale, with one of them having been around for decades prior to now. Each has its own benefits and distinctive features.
The Suzuki Carry was the first Suzuki truck offered for sale. It is a kei truck and originated in 1961. Though it was a Suzuki and was designed by the company, the first two generations did not carry the Suzuki badge. Instead they were named Suzulight. This was a division labeled due to its lightweight design and that was the focus of the Carry. It was a pick-up truck that featured the engine under the front seat to help reduce the weight. The Carry has also been made into van models, but the truck is still in production and used worldwide.
The other Suzuki truck currently on the market is the Equator. This truck was shown for the first time at the 2008 Chicago Auto Show. The first sale in the US took place in 2009. Based entirely on the Nissan Frontier, the Equator is offered in both extended cab and crew cab styles. Depending on the type chosen, it can accommodate between four and five passengers comfortably. The extended cab features a 2.5 liter 152 hp inline 4 engine standard with an optional V6. Crew cab comes with the 261 hp 4.0 liter V6. The V6 has a five speed automatic transmission with optional four wheel drive. The four cylinder has a five speed manual standard with a five speed automatic as an option and boasts rear wheel drive.
Like many of its other models, the Suzuki truck is often a four wheel drive. The company has become well known for their four wheel drive options and standards in a variety of vehicles. Over the years, Suzuki has not offered as many trucks as they have offered other automobiles, but the ones that have been offered have proven to be tough and strong- much like the rest of the Suzuki line.