Former President, Chairman & CEO of Suzuki Motor Corporation, Osamu Suzuki, passed away recently at the age of 94. Osamu Suzuki led Suzuki Motor for more than four decades. The company announced his demise on Friday, stating that he had passed away due to malignant lymphoma. Suzuki Motor also confirmed that Mr. Suzuki died on Wednesday in a hospital in Shizuoka Prefecture, southwest of Tokyo.
According to Kyodo News, Japan, Suzuki’s leadership spanned over four decades, during which he transformed the Japanese automaker into a global powerhouse, particularly cementing its dominance in India’s car market.
Mr. Suzuki took charge as Chairman of Suzuki Motor Corporation in 1978 and continued in this position until 2021. He was 91 years old when he announced his retirement, making him the longest-serving head of the global automaker. Even after stepping down from the post, he was appointed as a senior advisor to the company. His son, Toshihiro Suzuki, took over as Suzuki’s CEO in 2016.
When compared to other leaders, Osamu Suzuki had a different approach. His focus was on producing compact and affordable vehicles for emerging markets like India. Under his leadership, Japan’s smallest car manufacturer became the largest car manufacturer in India. He frequently implemented cost-cutting strategies within the corporation.
In addition to this, Osamu Suzuki also formed partnerships with General Motors Co. and Volkswagen AG to sell vehicles in North America and Europe. Osamu Suzuki played a crucial role in the success of Maruti Suzuki in India. It was due to his vision that the brand collaborated with the Indian government and officially entered the market in 1982. A year after its entry, the brand launched the Maruti 800, which marked the beginning of its long-standing success in India.
It was only last year that Mr. Suzuki was inducted into the Motoring Hall of Fame and honored as the “Father of The Motoring Hall of Fame House.” In 2007, Osamu Suzuki was awarded the Padma Bhushan by the Indian government for his contributions to India’s growth and the automotive industry.
The collaboration between Maruti and Suzuki gained widespread recognition in the 1990s when the two companies produced over 200,000 automobiles annually, establishing India as a major Suzuki auto production hub in the region. Osamu Suzuki’s strategic vision extended beyond cars; he developed partnerships, entered new markets, and made Suzuki Motor a globally recognized brand.
Osamu Suzuki had an unconventional start. Born as Osamu Matsuda on January 30, 1930, he was the fourth son in a farming family. He studied law and initially aspired to become a politician. However, after his marriage to Shoko Suzuki, a granddaughter of Michio Suzuki, his life took a different path. Following Japanese custom, he took on his wife’s surname since there were no male heirs in the family to take over the family business. He joined the company in 1958.
Osamu Suzuki is remembered as the man who made Maruti Suzuki a household name in India and who helped take Suzuki to new heights. Thank you from Team Cartoq and all car enthusiasts across the globe for all your contributions. Rest In Peace.
