Osamu Suzuki, the former chairman of Suzuki Motor Corporation and the driving force behind its global expansion, has died at the age of 94. The company announced that he succumbed to lymphoma on December 25.

Born Osamu Matsuda on January 30, 1930, in Gero, Japan, Suzuki joined the automaker in 1958 after marrying into the founding family. Taking on his wife’s surname, he began a transformative journey that would see Suzuki Motor become a household name in small cars and motorcycles worldwide.

Suzuki’s leadership, which spanned decades, included two terms as president, making him the longest-serving head of a global automaker. Under his guidance, Suzuki Motor formed strategic alliances with General Motors and Volkswagen, leveraging partnerships to expand its footprint across North America and Europe. His boldest move, however, was entering the Indian market in the 1980s.

In 1982, Suzuki forged a joint venture with the Indian government, leading to the creation of Maruti Udyog. The partnership introduced the Maruti 800, a small car that became an instant hit and cemented Suzuki’s dominance in the Indian market.

Today, Maruti Suzuki remains the largest carmaker in India, contributing significantly to the company’s global sales.

Suzuki’s tenure was not without challenges. He faced a fuel-economy testing scandal in Japan, which led to his resignation as CEO in 2016. Yet, his commitment to the company’s resilience and growth remained unwavering.

Even in his later years, Suzuki played an advisory role, leaving behind a legacy of innovation and market leadership in the automotive world. His contributions to the industry and his leadership in expanding Suzuki Motor’s global presence remain unparalleled.

Source: India Today