Suzuki Marks Landmark Achievement with 2 Million Motorcycles Produced in Colombia
Suzuki Motor de Colombia S.A. (SMDC), a subsidiary of Suzuki Motor Corporation in Japan, celebrated an important achievement with the milestone of two million motorcycles produced in its 40 years in Latin America on September 11, 2025. The company held a ceremony at its plant in Pereira, Risaralda, Colombia, to mark the momentous achievement.
The ceremony to acknowledge the product accomplishment was attended by a large group of dignitaries and guests including Takasugi Masahiro, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the Republic of Colombia; Juan Jose Orozco, President of SMDC; and Takashi Ise, Managing Officer and Executive General Manager Motorcycle Operations of Suzuki Motor Corporation. Around 220 participants, including Suzuki’s dealers, suppliers, employees, and industry partners, witnessed this important moment in the company’s history.
Forty Years of Local Manufacturing
In February of 1982, SMDC began producing motorcycles in the first, and only, locally owned assembly plant in Colombia with the goal of providing reliable and affordable two-wheeled transportation for the Colombian population. At this point we have steadily improved our product line to provide for a variety of customer segments from casual commuters to the performance enthusiasts.
Today, SMDC manufactures 14 different motorcycle models, with the GN125 and the GIXXER series standing out as flagships in the lineup. The GN125, in particular, has become something of a cultural icon in Colombia. Known for its durability, simplicity, and excellent fuel efficiency, the model has been widely adopted in urban centers as well as rural areas, serving as a dependable workhorse for everyday transportation.
The achievement of the two millionth unit represents not only a numerical milestone but also a testament to Suzuki’s long-term commitment to Colombia and the wider Latin American region.
Broader Regional presence
Clearly, SMDC’s reach does not stop at the borders of Colombia. The company has become a valuable export center, currently exporting motorcycles to six other countries in the region, including Ecuador, Venezuela, Bolivia, Peru, El Salvador, and Chile. And, the company will play an important role in Suzuki’s larger Latin America strategy, as it has become a valuable contributor to Suzuki’s global presence and Latin America as a whole.
In FY2024, SMDC achieved record annual sales of 133,391 units, highlighting the continued growth in demand for accessible and fuel-efficient motorcycles across the continent. Urbanization and continued prioritization of affordable personal mobility means that there is still plenty of scope for growth in two-wheelers across Latin America over the next few years.
Contribution to Colombia’s Industry and Economy
Apart from achieving record sales, SMDC has been a major part of Colombia’s industrial development for more than 40 years. It established local production in Pereira, which has generated thousands of jobs directly and to an even greater extent indirectly, and has also developed strong regional supply-chains of vendors and service providers.
The company has prioritized quality manufacturing, skills development, and partnering with local suppliers, thereby contributing to the considerable strengthening of Colombia’s manufacturing base. Suzuki’s own example illustrates how global corporations can effectively engage with local economies and leave sustainable value for not just customers, but also workers, suppliers, and regional development.
Looking Forward
Suzuki Motor de Colombia maintains a positive outlook for the future. Given that Colombia’s motorcycle market is expanding due to urban mobility requirements, rising fuel costs, and living on a two-wheeler as a family unit, SMDC is well positioned moving forward.
The company also recommitted to innovation and sustainability, looking for ways to add technologies and consider changing consumer preferences. At the same time, as Suzuki’s global focus on mobility shifts toward efficient, affordable and sustainable solutions, SMDC will continue to be ideally placed in the strategic direction for delivering on this promise in Latin America.
Suzuki’s milestone of selling its two millionth motorcycle isn’t just a great accomplishment, but one that reaffirms its vision of adding value to people’s lives and freedom of movement. The story of SMDC gives a powerful example of what dedication, strong partnerships, and customer-focused innovation can achieve in taking an international subsidiary and create a national story.
As the business charts its path to the next million motorcycles as a brand, its recognition in Colombian economic system and Suzuki’s global ambitions will only continue to grow.
https://www.suzukimotorcycle.co.in/
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