Osamu Suzuki, the late Japanese industrialist and former chairman of Suzuki Motor Corporation, has been awarded Padma Vibhushan posthumously, India’s second-highest civilian award. Known for his hard-nosed business acumen, Osamu Suzuki led the company for 40 years, during which he revolutionised the Indian car market with the popular Maruti 800. Osamu was awarded Padma Vibhushan last Saturday, January 25, 2025.
Suzuki partnered with the Indian government in 1931, taking a huge risk, and formed a joint venture, Maruti Udyog Ltd. At that time, India was still a closed economy. Later, in 2007, Maruti Udyog Ltd. became Maruti Suzuki India Ltd.
Osamu Suzuki passed away on December 25, 2024 when he was 94, but his leadership was instrumental in the Indian car market, which we still witness. Maruti Suzuki India stated last year on Osamu Suzuki’s death, “Osamu played a pivotal role in realising the dream of putting India on wheels by empowering millions of Indian families with affordable, reliable, efficient, and good quality vehicles.”
Born on January 30, 1930, Osamu Suzuki graduated from Chuo University in the Faculty of Law and joined Suzuki Motor Co Ltd in April 1958. In December 1967, he became the MD (Managing Director) and later, in June 2000, was appointed as the chairman of Suzuki Motor Corporation, one of the top car companies. Osamu Suzuki was appointed Senior Advisor in 2021, and his eldest son, Toshihiro Suzuki, took over the company.
