Ex-Suzuki Motor president Osamu, who played key role in Maruti-Suzuki partnership, passes away at 94

Osamu Suzuki, former Suzuki Motor President, Chairman, CEO, is no more.    

The Japanese stalwart who led the Japanese automaker to India, breathed his last at 94. 

The company in a statement said that the nonagenarian died on Christmas Day (December 25, 2024) of lymphoma, the company he had tight grip at announced on Friday.

In 1958, Osamu joined the company founded by his grandfather, Michio Suzuki, in 1909. 

He rose through the ranks to become the president of the automaker. 

He saved the company nearly from a collapse in the 1970s. 

His company's association with India reportedly became a game-changer for the Indian automotive industry when Suzuki joined hands with Maruti after turning down the Indian company's offer initially. 

It was only Osamu, who reportedly forced his company to reconsider the decision after reading a news article that a small-time Japanese automaker, Daihatsu, was potentially forging an alliance with the Indian company.

Once Suzuki came on board, Maruti Suzuki was launched in 1983.

The car changed the face of the auto industry in India as post-liberalisation saw huge production of cars in the country. 

Maruti Suzuki still reportedly holds roughly 40 per cent Indian car market.

Osamu had a long association with the company as it was only in 2016 that he passed the baton of the CEO to his son, Toshihiro. 

But he didn't leave the company and stayed as the chairman of the firm for another 5 years until 91. 

Even after that, he kept himself in the advisory role.