Osamu Suzuki, force behind India’s auto shift, dies at 94

Osamu Suzuki, the man who took a bold risk and partnered with the Indian Government to establish Maruti Udyog Ltd in 1981, has passed away at the age of 94, as confirmed by Japan’s Suzuki Motor Corporation on Friday. He died on December 25 due to malignant lymphoma.

Suzuki, who saw the potential in India’s automobile industry in 1981 during a time when the country was under a closed economy and a license regime, is credited with revolutionising the sector. R.C. Bhargava, Chairman of Maruti Suzuki India Ltd (MSIL), hailed Suzuki’s vision, stating that without his foresight and willingness to take risks, India’s automobile industry wouldn’t have become the global powerhouse it is today.

Suzuki joined Suzuki Motor Co Ltd in 1958 and went on to lead the company, eventually becoming chairman in 2000. — PTI