They say it was the Osamu Suzuki magic that transformed India’s automobile industry in 1981 with the setting up of Maruti Udyog Ltd (now Maruti Suzuki India Ltd) in India. That’ not fiction, it is a fact. The man behind the magic, Osamu Suzuki is no more.
Osamu Matsuda, however, owed his magic to his marriage. Osamu used to work in a bank and got a toe hold into the Suzuki business thanks to his arranged marriage to Shoko Suzuki. She was the granddaughter of Michio Suzuki, who founded Suzuki Motor’s predecessor, a loom manufacturer, in 1909. As is the Japanese custom when there are no male heirs to a family business, Osamu Suzuki took his wife’s surname. The rest, as they say, is history.
Aged 94 years, Suzuki died of malignant lymphoma on December 25, according to a statement by his eldest son, Toshiro Suzuki, the current president and CEO of Suzuki Motor Corp (SMC) of Japan. Osamu Suzuki was at the helm of affairs of the Japanese company from 1978 to 2021. After handing over the responsibilities of SMC to his eldest son, Osamu Suzuki continued to the its senior advisor.
Suzuki’s journey in India started with the small Maruti 800 car that brought about a revolution of sorts in the country’s car industry. Today Suzuki has business interests in several segments in India and is a major exports of four wheelers out of India. Maruti Suzuki is the leading car company in India.
SMC today is not only into manufacturing cars in India but also two wheelers, batteries for EVs, electric vehicles and even mini commercial vehicles. In 2007, he was awarded the Padma Bhushan by the Indian government for his company’s contribution towards development of the Indian economy. In 2023, Osamu Suzuki was initiated into Motoring Hall of Fame. He was also given the distinguished title of ‘Father of The Motoring Hall of Fame House’.
During his top leadership role in SMC, Osamu Suzuki’s SMC forged alliances with General Motors and Volkswagen. Both the alliances ended in the course of time. It was in 1981 that US based General Motors agreed to buy a stake. The stake reached a peak of around 20% of Suzuki Motor in 2001. But by 2008, because of financial difficulties faced by the US company, GM completely sold its stake in SMC. A year later GM filed for bankruptcy.
Suzuki Motor then tied up with Germany’s Volkswagen (VW), which bought a 19.9% equity stake in 2010. This partnership ended five years later. Suzuki then formed a capital alliance with Toyota in 2019. Today, both Toyota and Suzuki sell each others’ vehicles in India through a cross badging mechanism. For example, the Toyota Taisor is essentially the Maruti Suzuki Fronx, while Toyota Glanza is based on the Maruti Baleno, the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder is based on the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara, the Toyota Rumion is based on the Maruti Ertiga while the Maruti Invicto is based on the Toyota Innova Hycross
Statement from Maruti Suzuki India Limited on passing of Osamu Suzuki
Maruti Suzuki is deeply saddened on the passing of Mr. Osamu Suzuki, Senior Advisor, Suzuki Motor Corporation and Director & Honorary Chairman, Maruti Suzuki India Limited. Mr. O. Suzuki was a visionary leader whose remarkable contributions shaped the global automobile industry.
In India, his foresight and leadership were instrumental in the formation of Maruti Udyog Limited in 1981. With his vision Mr. O. Suzuki played the pivotal role in realizing the dream of putting India on wheels by empowering millions of Indian families with affordable, reliable, efficient and good quality vehicles.
Under his stewardship, Indian automobile industry adopted the Japanese manufacturing and work practices that are globally recognized for teamwork, productivity and cost effectiveness. Mr. O. Suzuki’s legacy will live on as an inspiration to all of us at Maruti Suzuki and the entire automotive community in India. His passion to bring smiles to people’s lives through mobility will forever be cherished.
Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, business partners and colleagues in this moment of distress.
Statement from R C Bhargava, Chairman, Maruti Suzuki India Limited
It is with the deepest personal sorrow that I have learnt of the passing of Osamu Suzuki San. Without his vision and foresight, his willingness to take a risk that no one else was willing to take, his deep and abiding love for India, and his immense capabilities as a teacher, I believe the Indian automobile industry could not have become the powerhouse that it has become. Millions of us in this country are living better lives because of Osamu San. He won and enjoyed the trust of several Prime Ministers. He had a very close understanding with the present Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi. Osamu San’s contribution to the Indian economy, and for building bridges between India and Japan was acknowledged by the conferment of the Padma Bhushan on him. He will be missed by his innumerable admirers and beneficiaries in the country.
I have lost someone who was closer than a brother to me. He changed my life and showed how nationality is no barrier to people building unbreakable bonds of trust in each other. He was my teacher, mentor and a person who stood by me even in my darkest days. If I played a role in the success of Maruti, it was because I was his student and he had taught me how best to grow a company and make it competitive.
Osamu San came to Delhi at the end of July this year despite not being in good health. He came because he wanted to attend my 90th birthday. It was the most touching event in my life. Little did I know that this would be the last time I would see him.
Osamu San will no longer be there to guide us. His legacy and teachings will never be forgotten and he will be remembered every time Maruti reaches another milestone as a part of the progress of India.
May God give strength to his family to bear this irreparable loss.
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