Osamu Suzuki, former chairman and CEO of Japan’s leading automobile company Suzuki Motor Corporation, has died at the age of 94. and was suffering from lymphoma (a type of blood cancer). Suzuki was also the director and honorary chairman of Maruti Suzuki India Limited. Osamu Suzuki formed a joint venture with the Government of India in 1981 called Maruti Udyog Limited, which Revolutionised the automobile industry in India. Under his leadership, the Maruti 800 was launched in 1983, becoming India’s first ‘people’s car’ and the country’s best-selling car for decades. Today, Maruti Suzuki is India’s largest carmaker, with over 40% of the Indian market.
About Osamu Suzuki :-
Osamu Suzuki was born on 30 January 1930 in Japan to a farming family. His marriage to the Suzuki family marked a significant change in his career. The Suzuki family was in the automobile business. In 1978 he became the president of Suzuki Motor, which specialized in small cars and motorcycles. He expanded the company’s business by entering into alliances with General Motors and Volkswagen to expand the company’s business to North America and Europe. His most important investment was in India, where his company revolutionized the car industry.
Maruti Suzuki and its contribution :-
- Maruti Suzuki India Limited is a subsidiary of Suzuki Motor Corporation, Japan.
- In 1981, Maruti Udyog Limited was formed in collaboration with the Government of India.
- In 1983, India’s first affordable car Maruti 800 was launched.
- Maruti Suzuki made cars accessible to the Indian middle class.
- Currently the Government of India has no stake in the company and Suzuki Motor Corporation, Japan holds 56.2% stake in the company.
- The company introduced its iconic small car Maruti 800 in 1983 which changed the face of the passenger car industry in India.
- Starting with a production of 20,000 cars per year in 1983, the company now manufactures over 2 million vehicles per year.
- Today India has emerged as one of the hubs of small cars in the world and a major exporter.
- Suzuki has two manufacturing units, one in Haryana and one in Gujarat.
- India became the second country after Japan to cross the cumulative production of 3 crore vehicles by the end of March 2024.
- In Japan, it took Suzuki 55 years and 2 months to reach this production level.
- In India, the company achieved this feat in 40 years and 4 months.
- Osamu Suzuki’s vision and leadership will continue to be an inspiration for generations to come.
- His initiatives allowed millions of Indians to realize their dream of owning a car for the first time.