Historic drive: 35 years of Suzuki in Germany - a success story

For now 35 years Suzuki also markets in Germany

As early as 1980, 25 years after Suzuki launched the first passenger car in Japan, the Japanese car manufacturer expanded and established itself in Oberschleißheim, Bavaria. The brand decided to set up distribution in the most demanding market in the world in order to assert itself against the strongest competitors. The manufacturer caused a stir with the LJ80 at the IAA in autumn 1979 as a Japanese small car and four-wheel drive specialist. To date, around 980.000 vehicles have been sold in Germany and the future gives hope for the 1 million mark. By the end of this year, Suzuki will be celebrating its 35th anniversary in Germany with a whole range of activities. Numerous models, which will start a tour from dealer to dealer as exhibits, are intended to document the 35 years.

After the introduction of the “Eljot” LJ80 (1980) on the German market, the development of the dealer network began. Suzuki gave the sales partners at the time a lot of leeway to play an active part in making this car a cult car. The vehicle, originally designed for military purposes at the time, was quickly seen as a cool recreational vehicle and took the classic off-road vehicle out of its typical niche. Fully off-road, very spartan equipment, with 39 hp and an extremely light weight of 820 kilograms, the LJ80 has just found young buyers in Germany. The LJ3,20 was offered with a spare wheel at the rear and a length of just 80 meters. The selectable all-wheel drive and the intermediate gear with off-road gear and rear differential lock allow the little off-roader to drive confidently over gravel and mud today, as it was over 30 years ago. Two body variants were offered in Germany: the van with a closed body made of sheet steel and the convertible. Not a special offer for the time, because Suzuki called for DM 12.500 for the Eliot.

The SJ series followed the LJ 80. With improved technology and a new design, the SJ 1982 "Samurai" replaced the LJ 410 as the best-selling four-wheel drive vehicle in 80. With the SJ 410, Suzuki was able to correct some of the weaknesses of its predecessor and, with more space and comfort, proved that the vehicle can become more mature. The SJ is reminiscent of its predecessors with its longitudinally ribbed grille and round headlights, but it was a completely redesigned car. For the first time, a foldable rear bench seat also allows larger transports. The SJ1989, which appeared on the German market in 410, is the last vehicle in the SJ series. A new instrument front impresses with more functionality in the "Samurai". With its petrol engine with 47 kW (64 hp) and diesel unit with 46 kW (46 hp), it was not just a car for off-road use and so this vehicle also ranked among the bestsellers.

Almost 30 years after the start of off-road vehicle production, one could marvel at the Jimny. Because the Vitara, which first appeared in 1988, was clearly designed as a four-wheel drive vehicle with good comfort for normal road trips and the Samurai was now working as a commercial vehicle, there was room for a new small four-wheel drive vehicle that combined all the virtues of the previous LJ and SJ models. The 3,67 meter long Jimny, which was offered in autumn 1998 at prices starting at DM 21.900, captivated with the charm of its predecessors. A ladder-type frame construction, rigid axles at the front and rear - but now with coil springs - and a switchable all-wheel drive with off-road reduction were a good recipe for success then as now. The engine, which was already working in a similar form in the SJ 413, was well known. In the Jimny it had been revised and equipped with four-valve technology. At the same time, the Jimny impressed with 59 kW (80 hp) with a displacement of just 1,3 liters. The synchronized transfer case allowed the all-wheel drive to be engaged at speeds of up to 100 km/h. After the debut of the closed version, Suzuki submitted the Jimny convertible with a soft top in 1999, followed in 2004 by a diesel engine with a displacement of 1,5 liters and 48 kW (65 hp), which was later increased to 63 kW (86 hp) and the Jimny with it one of the most economical off-road vehicles in Germany with an average consumption of 6,1 liters. The 1,3-liter petrol engine, which now had variable valve control and was later also available in combination with a four-speed automatic transmission, achieved the same horsepower values ​​after a boost in performance. The open Jimny was taken out of the program after a few years and the diesel was offered until 2009. In total, the Jimny sold 2014 units from its market launch to the end of 72.088.

The "Cappuccino" released in 1994 proved that Suzuki could not only build fun vehicles for off-road use. Unfortunately, there was only a short interlude of exactly one year. Only those who were very quick with their purchase decision could get one of the 120 copies for Germany of the 3,30 meter short, two-seater micro convertible. This ultra-light vehicle was only available with right-hand drive. The sensation of the Japanese fresh-air speedster was its special four-way roof concept: Depending on which elements of the three-piece hardtop were removed, the Cappuccino became a very agile and 725 kg light coupé or full convertible. Alternatively, the Micro Roadster appeared as a Targa or with a T-Bar. A three-cylinder turbo engine with charge air cooling provided a crisp sound. The extremely light, all-aluminum engine generated 657 kW (46 hp) from a displacement of just 64 ccm, which, with a rated power of 85 Newton meters at 4.000 rpm, was enough for a top speed of around 137 km/h. The Cappuccino also demonstrated its sportiness with a scale on the rev counter that goes up to 12.000 rpm. This is how this special roadster drove, which was available in either red or silver in Germany, before the limited number on the German market was sold out. The standard equipment was previously expanded to include ABS and a limited-slip differential.

Models such as the Vitara, Jimny or Swift, which came on the market at the end of the 80 or 90 years, are still bestsellers for Suzuki in Germany today. With customer-focused model maintenance and targeted product range renewal, the carmaker built a customer base that will already exceed the 2015 million mark of sold units with Suzuki in Germany in 1.

Current model range Suzuki in Germany: 

Photos in the article: Stefan Beckmann Cover photo: Stefan Beckmann