Osamu Suzuki Posthumously Honoured with Padma Vibhushan

Osamu Suzuki, the long-time chairman and visionary leader of Suzuki Motor Corporation, was posthumously honoured with the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second highest civilian awards, on Saturday. Suzuki, who passed away in December 2024 at the age of 94, is celebrated for revolutionising India’s automobile industry with the introduction of the iconic Maruti 800. Previously, Suzuki was conferred the Padma Bhushan, India’s third-highest civilian award, in 2007. His global influence was also recognised with the Sitara-e-Pakistan, Pakistan’s highest civilian honour, and the Middle Cross with the Star Order of Merit from the Republic of Hungary.

A former bank employee, Suzuki began his career in the automotive industry in the late 1950s after marrying Shoko Suzuki, the granddaughter of Michio Suzuki, the founder of Suzuki Motor’s predecessor company. Following Japanese tradition, he adopted his wife’s surname and joined the family business when there were no male heirs.

In 1982, Suzuki Motor Corporation entered the Indian market through a joint venture with the Government of India, acquiring a 26 per cent stake in state-owned Maruti Udyog Limited. This partnership led to the production of the Maruti 800 in December 1983, a small, affordable car that became a game-changer in India. Before the Maruti 800, the Indian automobile market was dominated by outdated Ambassador and Fiat models. The Maruti 800's fuel efficiency, affordability, and modern engineering made it a runaway success, with waiting lists stretching up to three years and even commanding a premium in the second-hand market.

Under Suzuki’s leadership, Maruti quickly became India’s largest car manufacturer, maintaining a dominant position with over 40 per cent of the market share to this day.

Osamu Suzuki served as Suzuki Motor’s president for 28 years, making him the longest-serving head of a global automaker. He stepped down in 2000 but remained at the helm as chairman and CEO. Known for his hands-on leadership, Suzuki resumed the presidency in 2008 at the age of 78 to steer the company through the global recession. In 2015, he passed the presidency to his son, Toshihiro Suzuki, but continued as Chairman until stepping down in 2016 following a fuel-economy misstatement incident.

In 2014, Suzuki visited India to inaugurate the Gujarat plant, a significant milestone during his tenure. This event underscored the company’s commitment to its electric and future mobility ambitions. The plant became a key part of Suzuki’s strategy to produce electric vehicles and maintain its stronghold in the evolving Indian market.