ONE SUZUKI KICK-OFF RIDE

The first biggest motoring media event for the year — “One Suzuki Kick-Off Ride” — was held last Jan. 28-29, and successfully started the 50th anniversary celebration of Suzuki Philippines, Inc., one of the iconic and reliable automotive brands in the country today.

A total of 62 media personalities and influencers coming from 57 media entities were gathered by the company to participate in the exhilarating two-day event that started at the Suzuki main office inside the Carmelray Industrial Park in Laguna and ended at the scenic Pico de Loro in Batangas.

The current popular products of Suzuki’s motorcycle, automobile, marine divisions were highlighted and even experienced up close by the participants during the event.

All Suzuki motorcycle models – Raider R150 Fi, Smash Fi, Burgman Street Standard and EX variants, GIXXER Series (both the 250cc and 155cc models) and the V-STROM 250 SX – together with very popular Jimny 5-Door and XL7 Hybrid vehicles were all driven by the participants on the first day via a convoy. After the fun-ride, the participants were herded then herded to the Punta Fuego Yacht Club where they experienced riding all the nine speed boats powered by the Suzuki outboard engines–  Twin DF300 and DF350s

“Today we have shared with you our history in the Philippines, how we have expanded from two wheels to 4 wheels and then on to outboard motors. You also experienced our products that are products of a century of research, fusion of technologies and continuous development to adhere the fast and ever evolving needs of the people. Suzuki is known for building high quality, powerful and reliable vehicles on and beyond the road. And we commit to this and build more innovative products for the Filipino people. You will be seeing new models this year both for motorcycles and automobile. Looking ahead, Suzuki is also aligned with the global direction in building mobility options for a sustainable future. It definitely is an exciting vision for Suzuki in the Philippines,” said Suzuki Philippines president Koichiro Hirao during a dinner at the beachfront later in the evening.

For his part, managing director Norminio Mojica highlighted 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.”

Automobile Division director and general manager Norihide Takei underscored the company’s continued growth: “Suzuki Automobile achieved a more than 10% 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.”

Meanwhie, Motorcycle Division head Jose Salavarria spoke on Suzuki’s rich heritage: “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.”

Marine and AfterSales Service Division general manager Yukio Sato, was quoted as saying: “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.” 

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