History
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● History of Kawasaki Motors
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● History of Meguro
Shozo Kawasaki, the founder opens Kawasaki Tsukiji Shipyard (Tokyo).
Kawasaki Dockyard Co., Ltd. is incorporated.
Kojiro Matsukata is
appointed as the first president of the new company.
Launches Cargo-Passenger Ship Iyomaru.
Finishes construction on Dry Dock at Kobe Shipyard.
Opens Hyogo Works.
Builds the first submarine in Japan.
Builds the Yodo, Japan's first large-size warship built by a private Japanese shipyard.
Builds the Yodo, Japan's first large-size warship built by a private Japanese shipyard.
The Aircraft Department is established at Hyogo Works.
Shipping division is spun off and incorporated as Kawasaki Kisen Kaisya Ltd. (K-line).
Completes the first Kawasaki-made airplane.
Meguro Manufacturing Company founded in Meguro, Tokyo.
Constructs Eitaibashi Bridge, Tokyo.
Hyogo Works is spun off and incorporated as Kawasaki Rolling Stock Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
Begins manufacture and sale of Rokkogo automobiles.
Delivers Pashina Locomotive for Ajiago Super Express.
Z97
Meguro released its first complete motorcycle, the Z97 (498cc, air-cooled, 4-stroke OHV, single-cylinder)
Aircraft division is spun off and incorporated as Kawasaki Aircraft Co., Ltd.
Adopts new Japanese company
name Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabusikigaisya (i.e. Kawasaki Heavy
Industries).
*The English company name Kawasaki Dockyard was changed to
Kawasaki Heavy Industries in 1969, when three companies were merged.
Starts production of Hien fighter.
To escape the ravages of war, the factory was evacuated to Karasuyama Town, Nasu District, Tochigi Prefecture (now Nasu-Karasuyama City).
Junior
Production of the first domestically manufactured 250cc model, the Junior (248cc, air-cooled, 4-stroke OHV, single-cylinder), commenced.
Steelmaking division is spun off and Kawasaki Steel Corporation is incorporated.
Z5
The world's first rotary transmission for motorcycles was developed, and adopted for the Z5 and Junior Series.
Begins production of Bell 47D helicopters.
Junior S
Production of a new model in the popular Junior Series, the Junior S (248cc, air-cooled, 4-stroke OHV, single-cylinder), commenced.
Rex Y
Manufacturing of the "Rex Y" begins.
KB-1 engine (58.2cc two-stroke air-cooled single-cylinder)
Production of motorcycle engines begins at Kawasaki Machine Works' Banshu Gear Plant.
KB-1 motorcycle engine mounted in Dainippon Kogyo's “Hikari Bicycle”
KE-1 engine (148cc four-stroke OHV air-cooled single-cylinder)
Production begins at Kawasaki Machine Works’ Takatsuki Plant.
Meihatsu Kogyo, domestic sales company, founded in Japan
KH engine (247cc four-stroke OHV air-cooled single cylinder)
Production of engines begins at Kobe Works (now Akashi Plant)
Kawasaki motorcycle scooter “KB-II” equipped with KB-2 engine
Production begins at Gifu Works
Regina
Manufacturing of the "Regina" begins.
KB-5 engine (123.5cc two-stroke air-cooled single cylinder)
Production begins at Kobe Works
The “Meihatsu 125” machine featuring a KB-5 engine is released.
Stamina Z7
Meguro released the Stamina
Z7
(498cc, air-cooled, 4-stroke OHV, single-cylinder), a flagship model
which represented the pinnacle of Meguro's technology at the
time.
The nickname "Stamina" was chosen through a public contest.
Meguro participated in the second Asama Volcano Race. In the 350cc and over mixed Senior class, Meguro secured the 1st, 2nd, and 4th positions.
KF4 engine for small agricultural machines (250cc four-stroke OHV air-cooled single-cylinder)
Production begins
Stamina K1
Meguro introduced the Stamina K1 (500cc, air-cooled, 4-stroke OHV, Parallel Twin) to cope with the increasing speed of traffic.
Meguro formed a business alliance with Kawasaki Aircraft Co., Ltd, which was manufacturing and selling motorcycles at the time.
“125 New Ace”
Production begins at Kobe Works
Integrated motorcycle production started
Business alliance with Meguro Manufacturing Company
125B7 and Kawasaki Pet M5
The first motorcycles developed by Kawasaki—the “125B7” and the “Kawasaki Pet M5”—are released.
B7
The B7—the first motorcycle to feature the “Kawasaki” brand—is released.
The company changed its name to Kawasaki Meguro Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
125B8
The “125B8” is released.
Meguro 250SGT
The first model after the business partnership was the Meguro 250SGT
(248cc, air-cooled, 4-stroke OHV, single-cylinder).
“Kawasaki B8” took 1st to 6th places in 125cc class motocross race at Aonogahara, Japan
Meguro 250SG
The Meguro 250SG was born,
sharing the same engine as the Meguro 250SGT.
Its production also
took place at the Akashi Factory.
Kawasaki Aircraft Co., Ltd. absorbed Kawasaki Meguro Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
Meguro Manufacturing Company merged into Kawasaki Aircraft Industry
Kawasaki 500 Meguro K2
Kawasaki Aircraft Co., Ltd. introduced the Kawasaki 500 Meguro K2 (496cc, air-cooled, 4-stroke OHV, Parallel Twin), an improved version of the Stamina K1.
W1
Kawasaki announces "W1" to the market
A1
Motorcycle “A1” released
Domestic sales company changed its name to Kawasaki Autoby Hanbai
American Kawasaki Motorcycle Corp., sales company, founded in U.S.
First appearance in road race World GP, the Singapore GP
US sales company changed its name to Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A.
Kawasaki Dockyard, Kawasaki Rolling Stock Manufacturing and Kawasaki Aircraft merge to become Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd.
H1
Motorcycle “H1” released
Iseki Kawasaki Service (IKS), domestic general purpose engine sales company, founded in Japan
Kawasaki Motors N.V., spare parts sales company, founded in the Netherlands
H2
Motorcycle “H2” released
Z1
Motorcycle “Z1” released
「KG 600」「KG 900」「KG 1300」
First portable generators, “KG600,” “KG900” and “KG1300” released
WSAA
Production of the first JET SKI watercraft—the “WSAA”—begins at the Akashi Plant.
Motorcycle assembly plant launched in Lincoln, Nebraska in U.S.
Kawasaki Motors (UK), Ltd. founded in U.K.
Canadian Kawasaki Motors Inc. founded in Canada
Kawasaki Motors (Phils.) Corporation founded in the Philippines
Kawasaki Motoren G.m.b.H founded in then-West Germany
Kawasaki Motors Pty. Ltd. founded in Australia
Thai Kawasaki Motors Co., Ltd., manufacturing company, founded in Thailand
Kork Ballington, who rode KR250 and KR350,
won Road Racing World
Championship GP250 & GP350 in 1978 and 1979.
Z1R
Motorcycle “Z1R” released
Took a stake in Thai sales company, Glory Kawasaki Motors Co., Ltd.
KZ1300
Motorcycle “KZ1300” released
KLT200
First ATV (All-terrain Vehicle) “KLT200” released
Kawasaki Motors Manufacturing Corp.,
U.S.A. (KMM) founded
as a subsidiary of KHI and separated from
KMC
GPz900R
Motorcycle “GPz900R” released
FB460V
General purpose gasoline engine “FB460V” released
Bayou 185
ATV “Bayou 185” released
JET SKI X-2
JET SKI watercraft “JET SKI X-2” released
FC150V
General purpose gasoline engine “FC150V” released
Tecate 4
ATV “Tecate 4” released
MULE 1000
First Utility Vehicle “MULE 1000” released
Kawasaki Sunrock Sdn. Bhd. founded in Malaysia
KDX200SR
Motorcycle “KDX200SR” released
ZEPHYR 400
Motorcycle “ZEPHYR 400” released
KMM launched general purpose engine manufacturing plant in Maryville, Missouri in U.S.
ZZ-R1100
Motorcycle “ZZ-R1100” released
JET SKI 750SX
JET SKI watercraft “JET SKI 750SX” released
MULE 2510
Utility Vehicle “MULE 2510” released
Domestic sales company changed its name to Kawasaki Motors Corporation Japan
Kawasaki wins the first victory in Suzuka 8 Hours.
Ninja ZX-9R
Motorcycle “Ninja ZX-9R” released
PT. Kawasaki Motor Indonesia founded in Indonesia
JET SKI 900 ZXi
JET SKI watercraft “JET SKI 900 ZXi” released
Domestic general purpose engine sales company IKS changed its name to K-GES Co., Ltd.
Kawasaki Motors Enterprise (Thailand) Co., Ltd. founded in Thailand
W650
Motorcycle “W650” released
JET SKI Ultra 150
JET SKI watercraft “JET SKI Ultra 150” released
JET SKI 1100 STX D.I.
JET SKI watercraft “JET SKI 1100 STX D.I.” released
Ninja ZX-12R
Motorcycle “Ninja ZX-12R” released
Kawasaki Motors Europe N.V. founded as an integrated sales subsidiary in Europe
Prairie 650
ATV “Prairie 650” released
Participated in Road Racing World Championship MotoGP
JET SKI STX-12F
JET SKI watercraft “JET SKI STX-12F” released
VULCAN 2000
Motorcycle “VULCAN 2000” released
Ninja ZX-10R
Motorcycle “Ninja ZX-10R” released
JET SKI STX-15F
JET SKI watercraft “JET SKI STX-15F” released
Brute Force 750 4x4
ATV “Brute Force 750 4x4” released
MULE 3010
Utility Vehicle “MULE 3010” released
ZZR1400
Motorcycle “ZZR1400” released
FX1000V
General purpose gasoline engine “FX1000V” released
JET SKI ULTRA 250X
JET SKI watercraft “JET SKI ULTRA 250X” released
1400GTR
Motorcycle “1400GTR” released
Teryx 750 4x4
First Recreation Utility Vehicle “Teryx 750 4x4” released
Kawasaki Motores do Brasil Ltda. (KMB) founded in Brazil
Ninja 250R
Motorcycle “Ninja 250R” released
VULCAN 1700
Motorcycle “VULCAN 1700” series released
FX730V
General purpose gasoline engine “FX730V” released
MULE 4010
Utility Vehicle “MULE 4010” series released
KMB in Brazil started sales of motorcycles
JET SKI ULTRA 260X
JET SKI watercraft "JET SKI ULTRA 260X" series released
Suspend MotoGP racing activities
ZRX1200 DAEG
Motorcycle “ZRX1200 DAEG” released
25th Anniversary of the “Ninja” brand
Changzhou Kawasaki and Kwang Yang Engine Co., Ltd. (CK&K) founded
as a joint venture company in China for production of general
purpose gasoline engines
KMB in Brazil started up motorcycle production plant
KLX125・D-TRACKER 125
Motorcycle “KLX125” and “D-TRACKER 125” released
Ninja 1000
Motorcycle “Ninja 1000” released
CK&K in China started up general purpose gasoline engine production plant
Company renamed “Motorcycle & Engine Company” as of April 1
India Kawasaki Motors Pvt. Ltd. founded in India
Ninja 400R・ER-4n
Motorcycle “Ninja 400R” and “ER-4n” released
VULCAN 1700 VAQUERO
Motorcycle “VULCAN 1700 VAQUERO” released
Z750R
Motorcycle “Z750R” released
Teryx 4 750 4x4 / Teryx 4 750 4x4 EPS
/
Teryx 4 750 4x4 EPS LE
Recreation Utility Vehicle “Teryx 4 750
4x4
/ Teryx 4 750 4x4 EPS / Teryx 4 750 4x4 EPS LE” released
W800
Motorcycle “W800” released
JET SKI ULTRA 300X
JET SKI watercraft “JET SKI ULTRA 300X” series released
Ninja ZX-14R
Motorcycle “Ninja ZX-14R” released
Versys 1000
Motorcycle “Versys 1000” released
Z800
Motorcycle “Z800” released
Ninja 250 / 300
Motorcycle “Ninja 250 / 300” released
Ninja ZX-6R
Motorcycle “Ninja ZX-6R” released
Z250
Motorcycle “Z250” released
PULSAR 200NS
Motorcycle “Pulsar 200NS” under the new Kawasaki Bajaj brand released
KHS in China started up the import/sales business of Motorcycle
Z1000
Motorcycle “Z1000” released
J300
Scooter Model “J300” released
Ninja H2/H2R
Motorcycle “Ninja H2/H2R” released
Ninja 400
Motorcycle “Ninja 400” released
KMI in Indonesia started up the second motorcycle production plant
MULE PRO-FXT
Utility Vehicle “MULE PRO-FXT” series released
Ninja 250SL・Z250SL
Motorcycle “Ninja 250SL” “Z250SL” released
Vulcan S
Motorcycle “Vulcan S” released
FS730V EFI
General purpose gasoline engine “FS730V EFI” released
FJ300D
General purpose gasoline engine “FJ300D” released
Z125 PRO
Motorcycle “Z125 PRO” released
J125
Scooter Model “J125” released
FX730V EFI
General purpose gasoline engine “FX730V EFI” released
Ninja 650
Motorcycle “Ninja 650” released
Z650
Motorcycle “Z650” released
VERSYS-X 300/250
Motorcycle “VERSYS-X 300/250” released
Z900
Motorcycle “Z900” released
FX850V/801V EFI
General purpose gasoline engine “FX850V/801V EFI” released
50th anniversary of sales company foundation in USA
JET SKI SX-R
JET SKI watercraft “JET SKI SX-R” series released
60th anniversary commencement of General purpose gasoline engine sales
Kawasaki Motors (Shanghai), Ltd.（KMSH）, newly established in China,
took over the import/sales business of Motorcycle from KHS.
Z900RS, a 2018 new model, was awarded the grand prize
in the
“Japan Bike Of The Year 2018”, in its very first year.
Ninja H2 SX
Motorcycle “Ninja H2 SX” released
Ninja 400/250
Motorcycle “Ninja 400/250” released
W175
Motorcycle “W175” released
Z H2・Ninja ZX-25R
Kawasaki announces the all new “Z H2” “Ninja ZX-25R” to the market
TERYX KRX 1000
Recreation Utility Vehicle “TERYX KRX 1000” released
Kawasaki racing team (KRT) wins the Suzuka 8 Hours for the first
time in 26 years.
TEAM SRC KAWASAKI FRANCE wins the series title in Endurance World
Championship
JET SKI STX 160
JET SKI watercraft “JET SKI STX 160” series released
W800
Motorcycle “W800” released
KAWASAKI MOTORS VIETNAM CO., LTD. (KMV) founded in Vietnam
Ninja ZX-10R/10RR
Motorcycle “Ninja ZX-10R/10RR” released
MEGURO K3
Kawasaki announces the all new “MEGURO K3” to the market
Jonathan Rea, racing for Kawasaki racing team (KRT),
becomes the
first ever rider to win the Superbike World Championship (WSB)
series for six consecutive years,
achieving a record number of
WSB championship
FX1000V EFI
Flagship model of general purpose gasoline engines “FX1000V EFI” released
Kawasaki Motors, Ltd. is spun off from Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. as a separate company.
Z650RS
Motorcycle “Z650RS” released
TERYX KRX4 1000
Recreation Utility Vehicle “TERYX KRX4 1000” series released
Elektrode
Electric balance bike “Elektrode” released
Kawasaki conducts demonstration run of off-road four-wheel research vehicle with hydrogen-fueled direct injection engine for motorcycle
50th Anniversary of the “Z” brand
Ninja ZX-4R/4RR
Motorcycle “Ninja ZX-4R/4RR” released
JET SKI ULTRA 160
JET SKI watercraft “JET SKI ULTRA 160” series released
ELIMINATOR
Motorcycle “ELIMINATOR” released
noslisu
Three-wheeled electric vehicle “noslisu” “noslisu e” released
70th anniversary of entering motorcycle business
50th Anniversary of the “KX” brand
50th Anniversary of the “JET SKI” brand
Ninja e-1・Z e-1
Electric motorcycle “Ninja e-1” “Z e-1” released
40th Anniversary of the “Ninja” brand
Ninja 7 Hybrid・Z7 Hybrid
Strong hybrid motorcycle “Ninja 7 Hybrid” “Z7 Hybrid” released
RIDGE・RIDGE XR
Off-road four-wheeler “RIDG” “RIDGE XR” series released
Ninja 500・Z500
Motorcycle “Ninja 500” “Z500” released
Mass production of off-road four-wheelers begins at Kawasaki Motores de México S.A. de C.V. (KMX)