Suzuki Philippines Inc. celebrates 50 strong years in the motoring industry

Suzuki Philippines Inc. recently celebrated its 50th anniversary, which started with a One Suzuki Kick-Off ride from the Suzuki Plant in Laguna at around 9 am on 28 January 2025 shortly after breakfast at the Hacienda Ballroom, The Mills Country Club.

Suzuki Philippines Inc. President Koichiro Hirao welcomed 62 top-tier media personalities from 57 networks and publications, the majority of whom were members of the motoring media, including print, online and social media influencers.

Our rides included the Raider R150 Fi, Smash Fi, Burgman Street Standard and EX variants, the GIXXER Series (both the 250cc and 155cc models), and the V-STROM 250 SX, while the automotive media took the Jimny 5-Door and XL7 Hybrid.

The motorcycle riders were composed of both men and women, and the 14 Suzuki vehicles (carrying 2 to 3 passengers each) departed together for Punta Fuego. Those who weren’t able to drive rode in two coaster vans.

We made a pit stop at a Clean Fuel gas station in Tagaytay for a bathroom break and photo ops before taking off again.

Suzuki Philippines President, Mr. Koichiro Hirao, emphasized the significance of this event, “Suzuki has been part of the lives of millions of Filipinos for five decades. From motorcycles to automobiles to marine products, our vehicles have become life companions — on and beyond the road. Today, we invite you to experience the full breadth of the Suzuki story and continue to build a brighter future together.”

Arriving in Punta Fuego past 1 p.m., everybody had lunch at the Palmera Function room in Pico de Loro. Room assignments were given and the fun started at around 230 p.m. where we regrouped and heading out to the dock of Punta Fuego Tacht Club. Waiting for us where 9 speedboats powered with dual engine Suzuki marine outboard jet engines and toured around the bay for almost 3 hours and waited for the sunset. It was an awesome experience!

Automobile Division Director and General Manager Mr. Norihide Takei underscored the company’s continued growth, sharing, “Suzuki Automobile achieved a more than 10 percent growth in 2024, surpassing the industry average. This reflects the trust and love Filipinos have for Suzuki vehicles, from the iconic Jimny 3-Door to our latest innovations, the Jimny 5-Door and XL7 Hybrid. Looking ahead, we are excited to introduce more remarkable products that will continue making a difference in people’s lives.”

Managing director Mr. Norminio Mojica echoed this sentiment, highlighting Suzuki’s strong presence in the country. “Suzuki is within the top five automotive brands in the Philippines across all divisions, with over 4,200 network outlets nationwide. This success is not just due to our quality products, but also to the strong relationships we’ve built with our dealer network and media friends.”

Meanwhile, Motorcycle Division head Mr. Jose Salavarria spoke on Suzuki’s rich heritage, saying, “Suzuki’s journey in the Philippines started with motorcycles in the 1950s. Today, we have 30 models in our lineup, 12 of which are proudly manufactured in the Philippines. Our Laguna plant caters not only to local demand but also to export markets in neighboring Asian countries. Our commitment to innovation will continue, ensuring we provide the latest technology to meet Filipinos’ mobility needs.”

Speaking on behalf of Marine and After Sales Service Division, Mr. Yukio Sato, the general manager added, “The Philippines, with its rich maritime culture, provided the perfect environment for Suzuki to offer reliable, efficient outboard motors to meet the needs of boat operators, and recreational boaters. Whether it was small engines for smaller boats or high-powered motors for larger vessels, Suzuki quickly became synonymous with reliability. Our outboards allowed every Filipino, whether navigating calm waters or tackling rough seas, to have confidence in the quality and performance of their Suzuki product.”

He also underscored

Suzuki’s commitment to providing the best after-sales Service that purchasing a motorcycle, automobile or an outboard motor is a significant investment and the responsibility goes beyond the point of sale. Suzuki guarantees to be there with the Customers every step of the way, ensuring that your Suzuki product performs at its best, year after year.

The following morning, breakfast was served at PICO Restaurant. The different models of motorcycles were ready for testing, with the 7 Suzuki Jimny’s and 7 XL7 hybrids for all the attendees. By 11 a.m., everyone went to their own assigned vehicles and drove off to Mercedes Twin Lakes Tagaytay where we had a feast before heading back to the Suzuki plant.