Osamu Suzuki, former leader of Suzuki Motor, dies at 94, known for turning India into successful market

From Investing.com: 2024-12-27 03:30:47

Osamu Suzuki, the former leader of Suzuki Motor in Japan, passed away at the age of 94. He was known for his penny-pinching ways and turning India into a successful auto market. His thrifty nature was legendary, with him even ordering factory ceilings to be lowered to save on air conditioning.

Suzuki began working at the company in 1958 and saved it from collapse in the 1970s by securing engines from Toyota to meet emissions regulations. He later invested in building a national car maker for India, leading to the success of Maruti Suzuki, which commands 40% of India’s car market today.

Despite some failed endeavors, such as a partnership with Volkswagen, Suzuki remained a key figure in the company until he passed away. He handed over the CEO role to his son in 2016 but stayed on as chairman until the age of 91, maintaining an advisory role until the end of his life.



Read more at Investing.com: Osamu Suzuki, who led Japanese automaker into India, dies at 94 By Reuters