Osamu Suzuki was the longtime head of Suzuki Motor Corp., serving at various times as its CEO, chairman, and president until his retirement in 2021, and helping turn the company from a small Japanese manufacturer into a global giant.
- Died: December 25, 2024 (Who else died on December 25?)
- Details of death: Died in Hamamatsu, Japan of malignant lymphoma at the age of 94.
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Osamu Suzuki’s legacy
Not born with the name, Suzuki embraced it in the late 1950s when he wed Shoko Suzuki, taking on her family moniker and rising to lead the company founded by his wife’s grandfather, Michio Suzuki. In doing so, he helped turn the brand into a global name and, perhaps more notably, took a chance on establishing Suzuki in India, helping revolutionize the car industry there.
He began his career at the company in 1958, rising through its ranks before becoming president and CEO in 1978. One of his major focuses was to expand Suzuki into new markets. He established manufacturing plants in Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, Australia, and elsewhere. Suzuki’s biggest move was bringing the company to India, where outdated, near obsolete vehicles dominated its landscape. His venture was not just a success, with the company all but controlling the market by the 1990s; it also helped set the stage for other auto manufacturers to locate there, too. Suzuki eventually expanded the company to 31 countries for manufacturing and 190 for sales.
Despite these seemingly aggressive moves, Suzuki was known as a frugal leader who did not spend money lightly. He cut costs, looked for measures to limit wasteful spending, and tried to keep prices low. He was also known for being in touch with what happened on his factory floors, believing it was important to understand day-to-day operations at every level.
Suzuki stepped down as CEO in 2021, serving as an advisor in his final years.
Tributes to Osamu Suzuki
Full obituary: CBS News
