Who Was Osama Suzuki, The Man Who Gave India Maruti 800 And Ignited Country's Auto Industry?

Suzuki Motor Chairman Osamu Suzuki, passed away at the age of 94, due to lymphoma on December 25, 2024. Since 1978, Suzuki had been either president, chairman, or the company's CEO. In February 2021, Suzuki announced that the Japanese businessman would retire in June 2021, but remain in the company in the capacity of an adviser.

Osamu Suzuki Passes Away: PM Modi Offers Condolences 

“We offer our deepest condolences.” PM Modi wrote on X.

The PM further wrote, “We are deeply saddened by the passing of Osamu Suzuki. Mr Suzuki was a seminal figure in the global automotive industry whose extraordinary vision transformed the way the world perceived mobility. During his time at the helm of Suzuki Motor Corporation, Mr Suzuki overcame numerous challenges to drive innovation and growth, guiding the company to become a global player. His particular love for India and his collaboration with Maruti Motors revolutionized the Indian automotive market.”

“Through my many interactions with Suzuki Osamu, I was deeply impressed by his honest and humble attitude, which I will always treasure. Suzuki was an exemplary leader and embodied hard work, attention to detail, and an unwavering commitment to quality. I pray for the repose of his soul and extend my heartfelt condolences to his family, colleagues, and our many customers.” Modi added in a subsequent post.

Who Was Osamu Suzuki?

Osamu Matsuda was born on January 30, 1930 in Gero, Gifu, a city in Japan to Toshiki S. Matsuda and Shunzo o. He graduated from the Chuo University in 1953, and started his career as a loan officer in a local bank. He married Shoko Suzuki, the granddaughter of the patriarch of Suzuki Motor Corporation, Michio Suzuki, in the late 1950s and inherited the business empire. 

He changed his last name to Suzuki as per Japanese custom.  He was the fourth adopted son to run the company. Osamu and Shoko Suzuki had three children and lived in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka.

Osamu Suzuki joined Suzuki Motor Corporation in 1958, working his way from junior management posts to the rank of the director, in 1963. He became the junior managing director in 1967 and was promoted to the post of the senior managing director, in 1972. 

In 1978, Osamu became the president and the chief executive officer of the corporation and, in 2000, he stepped down from the post of the CEO to take up the chairmanship of the Suzuki Motor Corporation.

He spent over three decades as the head of Suzuki Motor Corporation, and was reported to be one of the longest-serving leaders in the global auto industry.

Osamu Suzuki's Foray Into India

One of the most notable achievements of Osamu Suzuki is his entry into the Indian market in the early eighties.

In 1982, Suzuki formed a partnership with the Government of India to launch Maruti Udyog Limited and transformed the market. In the next decade, the factory turned into the hub of Suzuki manufacturing for the Indian subcontinent and East European markets, producing around 200,000 units a year. Suzuki's investment in India would be credited for making the country a haven for car manufacturers.

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