Jimny 5-door – cute off-roader now comes with extra length
Since its launch in the late 1960s, nearly 3.5 million Suzuki Jimnys have been sold worldwide, picking up numerous awards along the way.
The story of how Suzuki's Trojan became one of the most reliable and durable two-wheel farm bikes on the market begins in the early 1970s.
For most farmers, transport has been a key towards more efficient farming practices and as on-farm transport improved, farm sizes increased, to be managed by smaller numbers of staff.
Early attempts at manufacturing farm bikes specifically for New Zealand conditions were rugged, yet very basic. So much so that farmers spent a lot of time either falling off or repairing the early models.
It took several years for farm bikes to become an indispensable tool on most farms, but the Japanese manufacturers took note and started to develop more efficient ways to get around the farm.
Suzuki developed the iconic Mudbug series in the early 1970s with the TF100, 125 and 185 models. These two-strokes were reliable, easy to maintain and most importantly, got farmers around the farm with the minimum of fuss.
Sales boomed in the ‘70s and early ‘80s, right up until when Suzuki introduced the first four wheeled ATV, the LT125.
Farmers immediately grasped the importance of ATVs, offering the ability to be able to carry more, or the convenience of being able to tow a small trailer.
Suzuki has continued the development of farm-bikes and ATVs, including the country’s best-selling farm bike, the DR200 Trojan.
Developed by Suzuki New Zealand, the prototype machine was built in Wanganui, before being shipped back to Japan and being introduced as the DF200ET.
The popularity of this model has seen it become the number one selling 200cc farm bike, built to exacting Japanese quality standards,making the Trojan one of the most reliable and durable two-wheel farm bikes on the market today.
Rural health advocates say the Government's decision to establish a new medical school at the University of Waikato augurs well for the rural sector.
People affected by the recent two severe flood events in the Tasman district are weary and exhausted trying to deal with the devastation on their farms and orchards, according to the head of the Rural Support Trust (RST) in the region.
New Zealand milk production is off to a strong start, with the first month of the 2025/26 dairy season recording a whopping 17.8% jump in milk production, compared to the previous season.
With adverse weather set to rain down on the Top of the South, the Bay of Plenty and parts of Northland, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says farmers, foresters, and growers need to prepare for possible challenges.
Keep up with innovation and e-commerce in China or risk losing market share. That was the message delivered at the China Business Summit in Auckland this month.
Meat Industry Association (MIA) independent chair Nathan Guy says getting meat processors involved has been a shot in the arm for the sector's key marketing initiative into China, Taste Pure Nature.
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